embarrassing
EnglishEdit
PronunciationEdit
- (Received Pronunciation, NYC) IPA(key): /ɪmˈbæɹəsɪŋ/
- (General American, Mary–marry–merry merger) IPA(key): /ɪmˈbɛɹəsɪŋ/
Audio (US) (file) Audio (UK) (file) - Hyphenation: em‧bar‧rass‧ing
VerbEdit
embarrassing
NounEdit
embarrassing (usually uncountable, plural embarrassings)
- The action of the verb to embarrass; embarrassment.
- May 11, 1715, Robert Wodrow, letter to Mrs Wodrow
- It seemed, at first, to be agreed, that the King should be addressed by the Assembly; but the time of presenting, because of the present embarrassings of affairs, to be left to the Commission.
- May 11, 1715, Robert Wodrow, letter to Mrs Wodrow
AdjectiveEdit
embarrassing (comparative more embarrassing, superlative most embarrassing)
- Causing embarrassment; leading to a feeling of uncomfortable shame or self-consciousness.
- 1963, Margery Allingham, “Eye Witness”, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, OCLC 483591931, page 249:
- The story struck the depressingly familiar note with which true stories ring in the tried ears of experienced policemen. No one queried it. It was in the classic pattern of human weakness, mean and embarrassing and sad.
SynonymsEdit
Derived termsEdit
TranslationsEdit
causing embarrassment
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