# abashedness

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abashedness
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

a feeling of being embarrassed or ashamed. You might feel this way if you make a mistake in front of other people.

For teachers: a state of being embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed. Often implies a sudden loss of self-possession due to a sense of inferiority or error.

## Examples

- He looked away in abashedness after his mistake.
- Despite her usual confidence, a visible abashedness came over her when she realized she had forgotten the guest of honor's name.
- The poet captures that specific abashedness one feels when a private vulnerability is suddenly exposed to the cold light of public scrutiny.

## Usage notes

- The noun is derived from the adjective 'abashed'; it is relatively rare in modern English, with 'embarrassment' or 'shame' being more common substitutes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.