embarrassment

UK: /ɪmˈbærəsmənt/ US: /ɛmˈbærəsmənt/ ,(em bar′əs mənt)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

em•bar•rass•ment /ɛmˈbærəsmənt/   n. 

1. [uncountable] a feeling of shame, self-consciousness, or uncomfortableness:
   embarrassment at forgetting my wallet.
2. someone or something that causes such a feeling:
   [countable] His speeches were an embarrassment to his party.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

em•bar•rass•ment  (em bar′əs mənt), n. 

1. the state of being embarrassed;
   disconcertment;
   abashment.
2. an act or instance of embarrassing.
3. something that embarrasses.
4. an overwhelmingly excessive amount;
   overabundance:
   an embarrassment of riches.
5. the state of being in financial difficulties.
6. Medicine impairment of functioning associated with disease:
   respiratory embarrassment.

• French embarrassement. See embarrass, -ment
• 1670–80

Synonyms

• 1. discomposure. See shame. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

embarrassment / ɪmˈbærəsmənt/ noun

1. the state of being embarrassed
2. something that embarrasses
3. a financial predicament
4. an excessive amount; superfluity