Word family noun embarrassment adjective embarrassed embarrassing verb embarrass adverb embarrassingly
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishembarrassedem‧bar‧rassed /ɪmˈbærəst/ ●●● S2 adjective 1 EMBARRASSEDfeeling uncomfortable or nervous and worrying about what people think of you, for example because you have made a silly mistake, or because you have to talk or sing in public Lori gets embarrassed if we ask her to sing. He looked embarrassed when I asked him where he’d been.very/deeply/highly/acutely embarrassed Michelle was acutely embarrassed (=very embarrassed) at having to ask for money.embarrassed smile/laugh/grin etc Ken gave her an embarrassed grin. There was an embarrassed silence.embarrassed to do something He was embarrassed to admit making a mistake.embarrassed about/at I felt embarrassed about how untidy the house was.2 → financially embarrassedCOLLOCATIONSadverbsterribly/deeply embarrassed (=very embarrassed)I was deeply embarrassed to see my mother arrive in a very short skirt.acutely/highly embarrassed (=extremely embarrassed)The government must be acutely embarrassed by the minister’s behaviour.slightly/a little embarrassedTom looked slightly embarrassed when his name was called out.somewhat embarrassed (=slightly embarrassed)His family seemed somewhat embarrassed to be there.clearly/obviously embarrassed (=in a way that is obvious to other people)He was clearly embarrassed about what had happened.verbsfeel embarrassedI felt embarrassed that he had seen me cry.seem/look/sound embarrassedThe judge seemed embarrassed to be asking her such personal questions.get/become embarrassedSometimes I get embarrassed, and I start to stutter.nounsan embarrassed silenceThere was an embarrassed silence, then Gina laughed loudly.an embarrassed smile/laugh/grinLucy gave an embarrassed smile and looked down at her feet. THESAURUSembarrassed feeling uncomfortable or nervous and worrying about what people think of you, for example because you have made a silly mistake, or because you have to talk or sing in publicI was really embarrassed when I arrived at the party an hour early.There’s no need to be embarrassed – you’ve got a lovely voice.self-conscious embarrassed about your body or the way you look or talkPaul had always been self-conscious about his big feet.uncomfortable unable to relax because you are embarrassed and not sure what to say or doThere was a long silence and everyone at the table looked uncomfortable.awkward /ˈɔːkwəd $ ˈɒːkwərd/ feeling embarrassed because you are in a situation in which it is difficult to behave naturallyTeenagers often feel awkward in formal social situations.There were some awkward moments when neither of us knew what to say to each other.sheepish slightly embarrassed because you know that you have done something silly or because you feel a little guiltyNigel came in late looking sheepish and apologetic.red-faced embarrassed or ashamed – used mainly in newspaper reportsA judge was left red-faced when his mobile phone rang in court.mortified [not before noun] extremely embarrassed and ashamed because you realize that you have done something very silly or wrongHe said he was mortified at the way his comments had been reported in the papers. Examples from the Corpus
embarrassed• "I'm not sure if I actually want to marry her, " Harry said, feeling acutely embarrassed.• He's not indignant, he's not embarrassed.• The chair broke when Tim sat on it - he was pretty embarrassed.• The teachers are supposed to teach us about 'safe sex', but most of them are too embarrassed.• Tony spilled red wine all over their carpet. He was so embarrassed!• I got very drunk at the party, and I feel really embarrassed about it.• Wendy and I were at once amused and embarrassed, but also concerned lest he be mown down by a passing train.• Marlon was always embarrassed by his lack of education.• Explanations, when called for, are embarrassed evasions and sometimes plain lies.• an embarrassed grin• Feeling a little embarrassed, he quickly cleared his throat and glanced up at the clock.• Kids get embarrassed if their Mums kiss them in front of their friends.• He seemed embarrassed to be confronted by a woman, stark naked and a good twelve inches shorter than himself.gets embarrassed• Lori's a good singer, but she gets embarrassed if we ask her to sing. 