embarrass
/ɪmˈbæɹəs/ verb B1- To disrupt someone's composure or comfort with acting publicly or freely. · The crowd's laughter and jeers embarrassed him.
- To hinder from liberty of movement; to impede; to obstruct. · The motion was advanced in order to embarrass the progress of the bill.
- To involve in difficulties concerning money matters; to encumber with debt; to beset with urgent claims or demands. · A man or his business is embarrassed when he cannot meet his pecuniary engagements.
- To perplex mentally; confuse, disconcert; catch off guard.
He/she/it embarrasses · Past embarrassed · Past participle embarrassed · -ing form embarrassing
Verb forms
- Base form
- embarrass
- He/she/it
- embarrasses
- Past
- embarrassed
- Past participle
- embarrassed
- -ing form
- embarrassing
From the library
“Thank you, count—thank you,” said the young man, evidently embarrassed how to begin the conversation; “yes, everyone in my family is well.”
Morrel reddened, for his own conscience was not quite clear on politics; besides, what Dantès had told him of his interview with the grand-marshal, and what the emperor had said to him, embarrassed him.
Cavalcanti was evidently embarrassed; he bowed to Morcerf, who replied with the most impertinent look possible.
Noirtier, had so much astonished everyone, that the position of Madame de Villefort, left alone with the notary and the witnesses, became every moment more embarrassing.
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