embarrassed

adjective/ɪmˈbærəst/ 🔊 listen

embarrassed is a famous trap for Spanish speakers: it looks like embarazada (“pregnant”) but means “ashamed, awkward, ill at ease”. (For “pregnant” use pregnant.)

📖 Meanings

1ashamed, self-conscious
"I was so embarrassed when I forgot her name." — (ashamed)
2made to look foolish
"He felt embarrassed in front of everyone." — (humiliated)
3short of money (formal)
"They were financially embarrassed." — (in financial trouble)
4TRAP: NOT 'pregnant' → use pregnant
"She's pregnant. (NOT embarrassed)" — (pregnant ≠ embarrassed)

🔄 Often confused

embarrassed vs pregnant →ashamed →awkward →embarrassing →

💬 Phrases

be embarrassed aboutdeeply embarrassedembarrassed to admit
❓ What does “I was embarrassed” mean?