好词典

embarrass

UK //ɪmˈbær.əs//US //ɪmˈber.əs//

词源

源自法语 embarrasser(意为“阻碍”或“使困惑”),可能进一步源于西班牙语 embarazar(意为“阻碍”)。17世纪进入英语,最初指“使困惑”或“阻碍”,后逐渐演变为“使尴尬”的含义。

verb

❶ 使某人感到难堪或尴尬,通常因为做了令人羞愧的事情或处于令人不自在的境地。

“She was embarrassed when she tripped in front of everyone.”

(她在众人面前绊倒时感到非常尴尬。)

“His loud comment embarrassed his friends at the party.”

(他在派对上大声的评论让朋友们感到难堪。)

❶ 使某人感到困扰或不便,通常因为某事难以处理或造成麻烦。

“The sudden question embarrassed him as he didn't know the answer.”

(突如其来的问题让他感到困扰,因为他不知道答案。)

“Financial problems embarrassed the family for months.”

(财务问题困扰了这个家庭好几个月。)

同义词:humiliate, shame, fluster, disconcert, abash

常见短语

embarrass oneself — 因自己的行为或言语而感到尴尬或羞愧。

“He embarrassed himself by forgetting his lines during the play.”

(他在演出中忘词,让自己感到尴尬。)

embarrassed silence — 因尴尬或不适而导致的沉默,通常发生在令人不自在的场合。

“After the awkward joke, there was an embarrassed silence in the room.”

(那个尴尬的笑话之后,房间里一片沉默。)