Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Embarrassingly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

😳
Add to dictionary

embarrassingly

[ɪmˈbærəsɪŋli ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adverb

in a humiliating or awkward manner

In a way that causes someone to feel self-conscious, foolish, or ashamed.

Synonyms

awkwardly, humiliatingly, shamefully.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
embarrassingly

Use this when describing a situation that causes you to feel uneasy or self-conscious.

  • She embarrassingly tripped and fell in front of the whole class
  • He asked an embarrassingly personal question
awkwardly

Suitable for situations where there is discomfort or lack of coordination, often social or physical.

  • He awkwardly shuffled his feet and couldn't make eye contact
  • They awkwardly tried to avoid each other at the party
humiliatingly

This is used to describe a situation that severely damages someone's dignity or pride. This word has a strong negative connotation.

  • She was humiliatingly criticized in front of everyone
  • He was humiliatingly defeated in the competition
shamefully

Appropriate when describing actions or situations that involve a sense of guilt or disgrace.

  • She looked around shamefully after breaking the vase
  • He shamefully admitted to his mistake

Examples of usage

  • She blushed embarrassingly when she realized her mistake.
  • He laughed embarrassingly at his own clumsiness.
  • The awkward silence lingered embarrassingly in the room.
Context #2 | Adjective

causing someone to feel self-conscious or ashamed

Causing someone to feel awkward, self-conscious, or ashamed.

Synonyms

awkward, humiliating, shameful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

arrow down
Word Description / Examples
embarrassingly

Used to describe actions or situations that cause light to moderate discomfort or self-consciousness, often involving minor mistakes or social faux pas.

  • He tripped over his own feet, embarrassingly falling in front of his crush.
  • Embarrassingly, she realized she had been walking around with a coffee stain on her shirt all morning.
awkward

Used to describe situations that are uncomfortable and often socially inconvenient, but not necessarily deeply damaging to one's reputation.

  • It was so awkward when everyone forgot his name during the meeting.
  • She found herself in an awkward situation at the party when she couldn't remember how she knew the host.
humiliating

Describes situations that cause a significant loss of dignity or self-respect, often in a public or very personal setting. It carries a strong, negative connotation.

  • Losing the game in such a humiliating manner made it hard for the team to hold their heads high.
  • She found the public scolding humiliating and had to hold back tears.
shameful

Applied in situations that involve a moral or ethical wrong, causing deep personal regret and societal disapproval. It carries a deeply negative and condemning tone.

  • It was a shameful act of betrayal when he lied to his best friend.
  • Her involvement in the scandal was considered a shameful chapter in her career.

Examples of usage

  • It was an embarrassingly low score on the test.
  • She made an embarrassingly bad joke at the party.
  • He felt embarrassingly unprepared for the presentation.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Feeling embarrassed is a common emotion experienced in social interactions, especially when one feels judged by others.
  • Research shows that embarrassment can serve social functions, helping to maintain group harmony by discouraging individual actions that might upset others.
  • Embarrassment can lead to laughter, which can relieve tension and create bonding experiences among people.

Pop Culture

  • Embarrassing moments often feature prominently in comedy films, showcasing characters in awkward situations for humor.
  • Social media has given rise to 'cringe' culture, where people share their most embarrassing moments for entertainment.
  • Famous personalities have openly discussed their most embarrassing moments, humanizing them and making fans feel connected.

Literature

  • Embarrassing situations often serve as crucial plot devices in novels, revealing character depths and vulnerabilities.
  • Classic literature frequently explores themes of social mishaps, such as Jane Austen's characters navigating embarrassing social gatherings.
  • Humor in literature frequently derives from characters' embarrassing predicaments, highlighting the absurdity of human nature.

Origin of 'embarrassingly'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Spanish verb 'embarazar', which means 'to impede' or 'to obstruct'.
  • In English, it first appeared in the 17th century, initially referring to being hindered or obstructed.
  • Over time, the meaning shifted to involve feelings of shame or awkwardness in social situations.

The word 'embarrassingly' is derived from the verb 'embarrass', which comes from the French word 'embarras', meaning 'obstacle' or 'blockage'. The adverb form 'embarrassingly' has been in use since the 17th century, evolving to describe situations that cause embarrassment or awkwardness. Over time, it has become a commonly used term to express moments of discomfort or shame.

See also: embarrass, embarrassed, embarrassedly, embarrassing, embarrassment.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,264 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.