# shameless

/ˈʃeɪmɫəs/ (US) · /ʃˈeɪmləs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shameless
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. brazen or without guilt

adjective · CEFR B2

doing something bad or embarrassing without feeling sorry or shy about it.

For teachers: showing a lack of shame, guilt, or embarrassment, especially regarding behavior that others find offensive or wrong.

- The politician told a shameless lie even though everyone knew the truth.
- The company showed a shameless disregard for safety regulations, prioritizing quarterly profits over the well-being of their workforce.

### 2. immodest

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

showing no respect for social rules about how to behave or dress.

For teachers: behaving in a way that is considered immodest or lacking in social decorum.

- In the old novel, the character was described as shameless for dancing so wildly.
- The Victorian critics condemned the play as shameless, shocked by its frank depiction of romantic desire.

## Examples

- He told a shameless lie to get out of trouble.
- The politician made a shameless attempt to win votes by making promises he knew he could not keep.
- Despite the evidence against him, he maintained a shameless disregard for the truth, continuing to profit from the very scheme that had ruined his reputation.

---

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.