embarrassment Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the shame you feel when your inadequacy or guilt is made public
  2. noun the state of being embarrassed (usually by some financial inadequacy)
    • he is currently suffering financial embarrassments
  3. noun some event that causes someone to be embarrassed
    • the outcome of the vote was an embarrassment for the liberals
  4. noun extreme excess
    overplus; superfluity; plethora.
    • an embarrassment of riches

WordNet

Em*bar"rass*ment noun
Etymology
F. embarrassement.
Definitions
  1. A state of being embarrassed; perplexity; impediment to freedom of action; entanglement; hindrance; confusion or discomposure of mind, as from not knowing what to do or to say; disconcertedness.
    The embarrassment which inexperienced minds have often to express themselves upon paper. W. Irving.
    The embarrassments tom commerce growing out of the late regulations. Bancroft.
  2. Difficulty or perplexity arising from the want of money to pay debts.

Webster 1913