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Embarrassing
2 dictionary results for: Embarrassing
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
em·bar·rass       (ěm-bār'əs)  Pronunciation Key 
tr.v.   em·bar·rassed, em·bar·rass·ing, em·bar·rass·es
  1. To cause to feel self-conscious or ill at ease; disconcert: Meeting adults embarrassed the shy child.
  2. To involve in or hamper with financial difficulties.
  3. To hinder with obstacles or difficulties; impede.
  4. To complicate.
  5. To interfere with (a bodily function) or impede the function of (a body part).


[French embarrasser, to encumber, hamper, from Spanish embarazar, from Italian imbarazzare, from imbarazzo, obstacle, obstruction, from imbarrare, to block, bar : in-, in (from Latin; see en-1) + barra, bar (from Vulgar Latin *barra).]

em·bar'rassed·ly adv., em·bar'rass·ing·ly adv.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to cause someone to feel self-conscious and uneasy: were embarrassed by their child's tantrum; felt abashed at the extravagant praise; will be chagrined if my confident prediction fails; was discomfited by the sudden personal question; is disconcerted by sarcastic remarks; refuses to be fazed by your objections; isn't easily rattled before an audience.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
embarrassing

adjective
1. hard to deal with; especially causing pain or embarrassment; "awkward (or embarrassing or difficult) moments in the discussion"; "an awkward pause followed his remark"; "a sticky question"; "in the unenviable position of resorting to an act he had planned to save for the climax of the campaign" [syn: awkward] 
2. causing to feel shame or chagrin or vexation; "the embarrassing moment when she found her petticoat down around her ankles"; "it was mortifying to know he had heard every word" 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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