Formed from embarrass + -ing. Embarrass entered English in the 1600s from French embarrasser, literally meaning to block, and later developed the sense of making someone feel awkward.
FAQ
What does embarrassing mean?
Embarrassing describes something that causes shame, awkwardness, self-consciousness, or public discredit.
What is the difference between embarrassing and embarrassed?
Embarrassing describes the cause, while embarrassed describes the person who feels ashamed or awkward.
Can embarrassing describe a public failure?
Yes. A report, scandal, defeat, or mistake can be embarrassing if it makes a person or institution look foolish or dishonest.
Is embarrassing the same as awkward?
They overlap, but awkward can mean clumsy or uncomfortable without the stronger feeling of shame carried by embarrassing.
How is embarrassing spelled?
Embarrassing has two r's and two s's. The common misspelling embarassing drops one r.
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