a feeling of shame, awkwardness, or self-consciousness caused by awareness of something foolish or wrong that one has done or said.
She hid her face in embarrassment after spilling coffee on her boss.
His voice shook with embarrassment as he apologized publicly.
✦ From early 18th-century French 'embarrasement', based on 'embarrasser' meaning 'to obstruct or embarrass', influenced by words like 'distress' and 'harassment'.
a person or thing that causes shame or embarrassment to someone.
The rusty old car was a source of embarrassment for the teenager.
Her outdated phone became an embarrassment at the tech conference.
✦ Same origin as the feeling sense: French 'embarrasement', evolving to mean something causing obstruction or trouble.
