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Abash: meaning, definitions and examples

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abash

 

[ əˈbæʃ ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

to make embarrassed

To abash someone means to make them feel embarrassed, self-conscious, or ashamed. This feeling may arise from criticism, awkward situations, or unexpected social encounters.

Synonyms

ashame, disconcert, embarrass

Examples of usage

  • She felt abashed when she realized everyone was staring at her.
  • His comments abashed her during the presentation.
  • I didn't mean to abash you with my remarks.

Translations

Translations of the word "abash" in other languages:

🇵🇹 desconcertar

🇮🇳 शर्मिंदा करना

🇩🇪 verlegen machen

🇮🇩 memalukan

🇺🇦 засоромити

🇵🇱 zawstydzić

🇯🇵 恥ずかしくさせる

🇫🇷 décontenancer

🇪🇸 avergonzar

🇹🇷 utandırmak

🇰🇷 당황하게 하다

🇸🇦 يحرج

🇨🇿 ztrapnit

🇸🇰 zahanbiť

🇨🇳 使尴尬

🇸🇮 osramotiti

🇮🇸 særa

🇰🇿 ұялу

🇬🇪 შერცხვება

🇦🇿 utandırmaq

🇲🇽 avergonzar

Etymology

The word 'abash' comes from the Middle English 'abashen', which is derived from the Old French 'abaisser', meaning 'to lower' or 'to humble'. The roots can be traced back to the Latin 'abassare', which is a combination of 'ab-' meaning 'down, away' and 'bassa', meaning 'low'. Over time, 'abash' has evolved in English to specifically denote the act of causing someone to feel embarrassment or self-consciousness. It has been part of the English lexicon since the 14th century, embodying both a sense of lowering one's dignity and causing discomfort in social situations. The usage of 'abash' highlights the intricate relationship between language and social interaction, demonstrating how words can capture specific emotional states and responses.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,168, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.