Embarrassment

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɪmˈbæɹəsmÉ™nt/

Origin

From embarrass + -ment

Full definition of embarrassment

Noun

1. A state of discomfort arising from bashfulness or consciousness of having violated a social rule; humiliation.
2. A state of confusion arising from hesitation or difficulty in choosing.
3. A person or thing which is the cause of humiliation to another.''Kevin, you are an embarrassment to this family.''Losing this highly publicized case was an embarrassment to the firm.
4. (medical) Impairment of function due to disease: respiratory embarrassment.

Derived terms