Word
humiliation
Phoneticshu·mil·i·a·tion, stress on the fourth syllable
US/hjuˌmɪɫiˈeɪʃən/
UK/hjˌuːmɪlɪˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01the feeling of shame
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the painful feeling of shame or embarrassment you have when you lose your pride or look foolish in front of others.
n. the emotional state of being humbled or mortified, typically resulting from a public loss of dignity or status.
“He felt a deep sense of humiliation when he forgot his lines during the school play.”
“The athlete had to endure the humiliation of being disqualified in front of a home crowd after years of preparation.”
Usage
Often used with the verbs 'suffer', 'endure', or 'feel'.
Synonyms
02an embarrassing event
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. an event or situation that makes you feel ashamed or less important.
n. a specific instance or act that causes a person or group to lose their social standing or self-respect.
“The team suffered a series of humiliations, losing every game of the season.”
“The treaty was seen by the citizens as a national humiliation that would take decades to overcome.”
Usage
In this sense, the word is countable and can be used in the plural.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“There is only so much humiliation a nation can take.” “We English have only ourselves to blame for the humiliation which has been brought on the land.” Etymology
From Middle French humiliation, from Late Latin humiliātiō, from humiliāre (“to humiliate”); see humiliate. Equivalent to humiliate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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