embarrassing

UK: ɪmˈbærəsɪŋ | US: ɪmˈbærəsɪŋ

Definition

  1. adj. causing feelings of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness

  2. adj. creating difficulty or inconvenience

Structure
em <in, into (from French "en-") + barrass<obstacle (from Old Italian "barra" meaning "bar") + ing<present participle suffix>
Etymology

The word "embarrassing" traces back to the French verb embarrasser, meaning "to block" or "to hinder," derived from en- (in) + barra (bar, obstacle). Originally, it described physical obstruction, but by the 17th century, it evolved metaphorically to describe social or emotional hindrance—capturing the feeling of being "blocked" by shame or awkwardness. The suffix -ing turns it into an adjective describing the state of causing such discomfort.

Examples

  1. Forgetting someone's name in a conversation can be embarrassing.

  2. He tripped on stage, creating an embarrassing moment.

  3. The delay caused an embarrassing situation for the host.

  4. She found the public praise more embarrassing than flattering.

  5. His outdated remarks were embarrassing to the entire team.