ENGLISH
REFERENCE

embarrassing

adj. · n.
US //ɪmˈbɛɹəsɪŋ// UK //ɛmbˈæɹəsɪŋ// em·bar·rass·ing
  1. 1 causing shame or shyness (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    making you feel ashamed, nervous, or uncomfortable in front of other people.

    causing a feeling of self-conscious distress or social awkwardness.

    Example

    It was so embarrassing when I forgot my best friend's name at the party.

    Example

    The politician faced an embarrassing series of questions regarding the sudden discrepancy in the campaign's financial records.
    Pitfall
    I was very embarrassing when I fell down.
    I was very embarrassed when I fell down.

    Use 'embarrassing' for the situation that causes the feeling, and 'embarrassed' for the person who feels it.

  2. 2 the act of causing shame (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    the act of making someone feel ashamed or uncomfortable.

    the gerundial act of causing someone to feel self-conscious or socially awkward.

    Example

    The public embarrassing of the witness was unnecessary and cruel.

    Example

    The deliberate embarrassing of junior staff members was cited as a primary reason for the department's toxic work environment.

    Usage

    Often used as the subject of a sentence or after a preposition.
Origin

By surface analysis, embarrass + -ing.

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