embarrassiment

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • State of awkwardness: "Embarrassment" refers to the feeling of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness caused by an uncomfortable situation.
    • A cause of discomfort: "Embarrassment" can also mean something that causes such a feeling, such as a social mistake or an awkward circumstance.
    • Financial difficulty (less common): In older or formal usage, "embarrassment" can mean a state of financial trouble or shortage.
Usage Examples

  • State of awkwardness:

    • His face turned red with embarrassment when he tripped on stage. (He felt awkward and ashamed after stumbling.)
    • She felt great embarrassment at forgetting her friend's name. (She experienced self-consciousness due to the memory lapse.)

  • A cause of discomfort:

    • The spilled drink was an embarrassment at the formal dinner. (The spill caused awkwardness for everyone present.)
    • Her loud comments became an embarrassment to the group. (Her remarks made others feel uncomfortable.)

  • Financial difficulty (rare):

    • The business faced temporary embarrassment due to unpaid debts. (The company experienced short-term financial trouble.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to save someone from embarrassment": to prevent a person from experiencing awkwardness or shame.

    • He quickly changed the subject to save her from embarrassment. (He avoided a situation that would have caused her shame.)

  • "to be an embarrassment to": to cause shame or disgrace to a person, group, or institution.

    • The politician's scandal was an embarrassment to his party. (The scandal brought shame upon the political group.)

  • "embarrassment of riches": an idiom meaning an abundance of valuable things, often causing difficulty in choosing.

    • With so many talented players, the coach faced an embarrassment of riches. (The coach had more good options than he could use.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Embarrass (verb): to cause someone to feel self-conscious or awkward.

    • His loud compliment embarrassed her. (The praise made her feel awkward.)

  • Embarrassing (adj): causing feelings of awkwardness or shame.

    • That was an embarrassing moment for everyone. (The moment was awkward.)

  • Embarrassed (adj): feeling awkward or ashamed.

    • She felt embarrassed after the mistake. (She experienced shame.)
Synonyms
  • Awkwardness: a feeling of unease or clumsiness in social situations.
  • Shame: a painful feeling of humiliation or distress.
  • Mortification: extreme embarrassment or shame.
Phrasal Verbs
  • (The word is primarily a noun; its verb form "embarrass" does not form common phrasal verbs.)
Related Idioms

  • "To blush with embarrassment": to become red in the face due to awkwardness.

    • He blushed with embarrassment when praised publicly. (His face turned red from shame.)

  • "To die of embarrassment": to feel extremely ashamed or awkward (hyperbolic).

    • She thought she would die of embarrassment after the speech. (She felt overwhelming shame.)