# embarrassing

/ɪmˈbɛɹəsɪŋ/ (US) · /ɛmbˈæɹəsɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/embarrassing
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. causing shame or shyness

adjective · CEFR B1

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

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

- It was so embarrassing when I forgot my best friend's name at the party.
- The politician faced an embarrassing series of questions regarding the sudden discrepancy in the campaign's financial records.

### 2. the act of causing shame

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the act of making someone feel ashamed or uncomfortable.

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

- The public embarrassing of the witness was unnecessary and cruel.
- 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.

## Examples

- It was so embarrassing when I forgot my boss's name.
- The politician suffered an embarrassing moment when he realized his microphone was still turned on.
- While minor social slips are common, an embarrassing failure in a professional setting can have lasting consequences for one's reputation and confidence.

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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.