embarrassment

Universal Words noun 1 [U] shy, awkward or guilty feelings; a feeling of being embarrassed: I nearly died of embarrassment when he said that. * I'm glad you offered-it saved me the embarrassment of having to ask. * Much to her embarrassment she realized that everybody had been listening to her singing. 2 [C] ~ (to / for sb) a situation which causes problems for sb: Her resignation will be a severe embarrassment to the party. 3 [C] ~ (to sb) a person who causes problems for another person or other people and makes them feel embarrassed: Poor Lucy! He's such an embarrassment to her. IDIOMS an embarrassment of riches so many good things that it is difficult to choose just one: Stratford has an embarrassment of riches, really, what with three theatres and lovely countryside, too.