embarrass

 
Pronunciation: /ɪmˈbarəs, ɛm-/

verb

[with object]
  • 1cause (someone) to feel awkward, self-conscious, or ashamed: she wouldn’t embarrass either of them by making a scene
  • (be embarrassed) be caused financial difficulties: he would be embarrassed by estate duty
  • 2 archaic hamper or impede (a person or action): the state of the rivers will embarrass the enemy
  • archaic make difficult or intricate; complicate: I do not apprehend that this case will be embarrassed by that decision

Origin:

early 17th century (in embarrass (sense 2)): from French embarrasser, from Spanish embarazar, probably from Portuguese embaraçar (from baraço 'halter')

Spelling help

Remember that embarrass and the related word embarrassment have a double r and a double s.

embarrassed, she was rosy red with severe shame.