Embarrass
AI In plain words
Writing a short explanation…
Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.
embarrass¹
- /ɪmˈbæɹəs/ US, UK
- /ɪmˈbɛɹəs/ Canada, US
- /ɛm-/ Canada, US
- /ɪmˈbaɾəs/ Scotland, Wales
Rhymes with -æɹəs
Where it comes from
Etymology tree
Akkadian 𒆟 (rakāsum)
Akkadian 𒄙 (markasu)bor.
Classical Syriac ܡܰܪܫܳܐ (maršā)bor.
Arabic مَرَسَة (marasa)der.
Old Galician-Portuguese baraço
Old Galician-Portuguese embaraçarbor.
Old Spanish embaraçar
Spanish embarazarbor.
French embarrasserbor.
English embarrass
Borrowed from French embarrasser, from Middle French embarrasser, embarasser (“to embarrass; to block, obstruct”), from Spanish embarazar, either from Italian imbarazzare or from Portuguese embaraçar.
verb embarrasses · embarrassing · embarrassed
- To disrupt someone's composure or comfort with acting publicly or freely. The crowd's laughter and jeers embarrassed him.
- To hinder from liberty of movement; to impede; to obstruct. The motion was advanced in order to embarrass the progress of the bill.
- To involve in difficulties concerning money matters; to encumber with debt; to beset with urgent claims or demands. A man or his business is embarrassed when he cannot meet his pecuniary engagements.
- To perplex mentally; confuse, disconcert; catch off guard.
Embarrass²
Where it comes from
Apparently from French embarrasser (“block, impede, obstruct”). The name was probably applied to the rivers first.
proper noun
- A river in Minnesota, a tributary of the Saint Louis River.
- A river in Wisconsin, a tributary of the Wolf River.
- A township in Edgar County, Illinois.
- A township and unincorporated community therein, in St. Louis County, Minnesota.
- A village in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, located on the above river.
