# humiliation

/hjuˌmɪɫiˈeɪʃən/ (US) · /hjˌuːmɪlɪˈeɪʃən/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. the feeling of shame

noun · CEFR B2

the painful feeling of shame or embarrassment you have when you lose your pride or look foolish in front of others.

For teachers: 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'.

### 2. an embarrassing event

noun · CEFR B2

an event or situation that makes you feel ashamed or less important.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He felt deep humiliation after losing the race.
- The public apology was meant to reduce the humiliation she felt.
- The defeat was a source of national humiliation that shaped the country's foreign policy for decades.

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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.