- [uncountable] shy, uncomfortable or guilty feelings; a feeling of being embarrassed
- I nearly died of embarrassment when he said that.
- embarrassment of (doing) something I'm glad you offered—it saved me the embarrassment of having to ask.
- to somebody's embarrassment Much to her embarrassment, she realized that everybody had been listening to her singing.
Extra ExamplesTopics Feelingsc1- He suffered great personal embarrassment after failing the tests.
- Helen changed the subject to save me the embarrassment of replying.
- I could finally talk about my problem without embarrassment.
- I could have died of embarrassment when I realized she was standing behind me.
- I felt some embarrassment as we shook hands.
- I still squirm with embarrassment at the thought of it.
- Much to his embarrassment, Mike realized that a small crowd was watching him.
- Much to her embarrassment she realized that everybody in the room had heard her.
- Pender decided to risk embarrassment and seek help.
- She smiled to hide her slight embarrassment.
- We all watched in silent embarrassment as Mr Rogers started to cry.
- her embarrassment at being found out
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- acute
- considerable
- great
- …
- feel
- suffer
- cover
- …
- in embarrassment
- with embarrassment
- without embarrassment
- …
- (much) to somebody’s embarrassment
- feelings of embarrassment
- a flush of embarrassment
- …
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- [countable] embarrassment (to/for somebody) a situation that causes problems for somebody
- Her resignation will be a severe embarrassment to the party.
Extra Examples- the government's embarrassment over the affair
- The protests were becoming something of an embarrassment to the government.
- The government wishes to avoid further embarrassment over the affair.
- The episode was a huge embarrassment for all concerned.
- The agreement was made in secret to avoid public embarrassment.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- huge
- major
- …
- be
- become
- prove
- …
- embarrassment for
- embarrassment to
- [countable] embarrassment (to somebody) a person who causes problems for another person or other people and makes them feel embarrassed
- Poor Lucy! He's such an embarrassment to her.
Extra Examples- The poor child was considered an embarrassment to his family.
- The president became a national embarrassment.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- great
- huge
- major
- …
- be
- become
- prove
- …
- embarrassment for
- embarrassment to
Idioms
See embarrassment in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee embarrassment in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishan embarrassment of riches
- so many good things that it is difficult to choose just one
- Stratford has an embarrassment of riches, really, what with three theatres and lovely countryside, too.
Check pronunciation:
embarrassment