embarrassing
embarrassing
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling of "embarrassing" is:
ɪmˈbærəsɪŋ
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
ɪm: /ɪ/ (short "i" sound as in "bit") + /m/ (voiced bilabial nasal)
bær: /b/ (voiced bilabial stop) + /æ/ (short "a" sound as in "cat") + /r/ (voiced alveolar approximant)
əs: /ə/ (schwa sound, a reduced vowel) + /s/ (voiceless alveolar fricative)
ɪŋ: /ɪ/ (short "i" sound as in "bit") + /ŋ/ (voiced velar nasal)
Word Form Variations
"Embarrassing" is already an adjective. There are no plural forms for adjectives in English.
However, you can use it to form other words:
Embarrassment: (noun) The state of feeling embarrassed.
Embarrassingly: (adverb) In an embarrassing manner.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
1. Adjective:
Definition: Causing or characterized by embarrassment; making someone feel awkward, ashamed, or self-conscious.
Synonyms: Awkward, uncomfortable, mortifying, humiliating, shameful, ignominious, abashed, disconcerting, disconcerting, sheepish, blushing
Antonyms: Comfortable, pleasing, flattering, complimentary, reassuring, encouraging
2. Verb (less common):
Definition: To cause someone to feel embarrassed or ashamed.
Synonyms: Humiliate, mortify, abash, shame, discomfit, fluster, flummox, disconcert, discomposure
Antonyms: Comfort, reassure, encourage, embolden, hearten
3. Adverb:
Definition: In an embarrassing manner; awkwardly or shamefully.
Synonyms: Awkwardly, shamefully, humiliatingly, mortifyingly, ignominiously, disconcertingly
Antonyms: Comfortably, confidently, assuredly, gracefully
Examples of Use
Books:
"The incident was deeply embarrassing for the entire department." (From the novel "The Corrections" by Jonathan Franzen)
"He stumbled over his words, feeling increasingly embarrassed." (From the short story collection "Dubliners" by James Joyce)
Newspapers:
"The politician's gaffe was an embarrassing moment for his campaign." (The New York Times)
"The company issued an apology for the embarrassing data breach." (The Wall Street Journal)
Online Publications:
"My most embarrassing moment was definitely the time I tripped and fell down the stairs in front of everyone." (Blog post from a personal website)
"This is an embarrassing situation for the company, and we are working to resolve it as quickly as possible." (Press release from a company website)
Entertainment Mediums & Platforms:
Television: "That was so embarrassing!" (A common reaction on reality TV shows)
Movies: "This is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me!" (A common line in romantic comedies)
Social Media: "Just had the most embarrassing experience... #fail" (A frequent post on platforms like Twitter and Instagram)
General Public Discourse:
"I felt so embarrassed when I realized I was wearing mismatched shoes." (Everyday conversation)
"That was an embarrassing performance by the team." (Sports commentary)
10 Famous Quotes Using Embarrassing
"There's nothing wrong with being afraid. It's not the absence of fear, it's overcoming it. Sometimes you've got to blast through and have faith." — Emma Watson (on doing things that might feel embarrassing)
"One of the embarrassing facts from social psychology is that most people see themselves as better than average." — Steven Pinker
"Being a good host is about making people feel comfortable. That’s why I keep my embarrassing photos out in the open — so guests can relax." — Ellen DeGeneres
"It’s embarrassing to be caught taking pleasure in something that's supposed to be serious." — Susan Sontag
"There's no shame in failing. The only shame is not giving things your best shot. What's truly embarrassing is never trying." — Richard Branson
"My singing voice is somewhere between a drunken apology and a plumbing problem. It's quite embarrassing." — Colin Firth
"As a child I was more afraid of being embarrassing than of being embarrassed." — Alan Bennett
"Sometimes your most embarrassing moments are the best stories." — Unknown (popular in motivational speaking and writing)
"Embarrassing moments are the portals to authenticity." — Brené Brown
"An embarrassing secret is only embarrassing as long as you keep it a secret." — A.J. Jacobs
Etymology
Origin: The word "embarrassing" comes from the French word "embarrasser," which means "to hinder, obstruct, impede."
Early Meaning: Initially, "embarrasser" didn't have the meaning we know today. It referred to something that caused a physical or mental blockage, making it difficult to move or think clearly.
Shift in Meaning: Over time, the meaning of "embarrasser" evolved. It started to describe situations that caused a feeling of awkwardness, shame, or confusion – a kind of mental and emotional "blockage" that made it hard to act or speak freely.
Arrival in English: The French word "embarrasser" eventually entered the English language, bringing its evolving meaning with it.
Modern Usage: Today, "embarrassing" specifically refers to situations that make someone feel awkward, ashamed, or self-conscious.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Embarrassing
"Embarrassing" isn't as common in idioms as some other words. Here's a list, including some original phrases and idioms with similar meanings:
"To put one's foot in one's mouth": This idiom describes saying something awkward or embarrassing.
"To make a fool of oneself": This idiom is similar to "being embarrassing," implying actions that cause shame or ridicule.
"To have egg on one's face": This idiom describes a situation where someone is humiliated or embarrassed.
"To blush like a beetroot": This idiom describes a visible sign of embarrassment.
"To be red-faced": Similar to "blush like a beetroot," this idiom describes the physical manifestation of embarrassment.
"To feel like a fish out of water": This idiom describes feeling awkward or uncomfortable in a new or unfamiliar situation.
"To shrink into one's shell": This idiom describes withdrawing socially due to embarrassment or shyness.
"To wish the earth would swallow you whole": This idiom expresses a strong desire to disappear from embarrassment.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of embarrassing from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
