Definition of "embarrass" in English

verb

1. (transitive) to humiliate; to disrupt somebody's composure or comfort with acting publicly or freely; to abash.

   • The crowd's laughter and jeers embarrassed him.

2. (transitive) To hinder from liberty of movement; to impede; to obstruct.

   • The motion was advanced in order to embarrass the progress of the bill.
   • This will... be the principal part of education; and this alone will effectively dispel that theological philosophy, which, in its decline, is still powerful enough to embarrass the course both of intellectual and social progress.

3. (transitive) To involve in difficulties concerning money matters; to encumber with debt; to beset with urgent claims or demands.

   • A man or his business is embarrassed when he cannot meet his pecuniary engagements.

4. (transitive, formal) To perplex mentally; confuse, disconcert; catch off guard.