# embarrassment

/ɪmˈbɛɹəsmənt/ (US) · /ɛmbˈæɹəsmənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/embarrassment
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. feeling of shame

noun · CEFR B1

the shy or uncomfortable feeling you get when you make a mistake or do something silly in front of people.

For teachers: a state of self-conscious distress or humiliation resulting from a social gaffe or perceived inadequacy.

- He turned red with embarrassment after he called his teacher 'Mom' by mistake.
- She struggled to hide her embarrassment when the moderator pointed out a significant calculation error in her opening slide.

### 2. a cause of shame

noun · CEFR B2

a person or thing that makes someone else feel ashamed.

For teachers: a person, object, or event that serves as a source of public humiliation for an associated party.

- The messy garden was a real embarrassment to the whole family.
- The scandal proved to be a major embarrassment for the administration, forcing several high-ranking officials to issue public apologies.

### 3. too many good choices

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

having so many good things or choices that it is actually difficult to pick one.

For teachers: an overabundance or excessive supply of something desirable, often leading to difficulty in selection; usually in the phrase 'an embarrassment of riches'.

- With five job offers to choose from, she had an embarrassment of riches.
- The director faced an embarrassment of riches during the casting process, as nearly every auditioning actor was perfectly suited for the lead role.

### 4. medical difficulty

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a medical problem where a part of the body cannot work properly, especially with breathing.

For teachers: the impairment or restriction of a physiological function, most commonly used in the context of respiratory or cardiac distress.

- The patient was rushed to the hospital showing signs of respiratory embarrassment.
- The clinical report noted significant respiratory embarrassment, likely exacerbated by the patient's underlying chronic condition and the high altitude.

Usage: Often appears in the phrase 'respiratory embarrassment'.

### 5. a group of pandas

noun · CEFR C2 · Humorous

the special name for a group of pandas.

For teachers: the collective noun specifically designated for a group of pandas.

- We were lucky enough to see an embarrassment of pandas at the zoo.
- While 'group' is sufficient for most, the guide informed us that the correct collective term for these bears is an embarrassment of pandas.

## Examples

- He turned red with embarrassment after tripping on the stairs.
- She felt a wave of embarrassment when she realized she had been calling her new boss by the wrong name all morning.
- The politician's public apology was intended to mitigate the embarrassment caused by the leaked documents, though many critics felt the gesture was far too late to be effective.

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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.