1. cause (someone) to feel awkward, self-conscious, or ashamed: "she wouldn't embarrass either of them by making a scene"
▪ be caused financial difficulties: "he would be embarrassed by an inheritance tax"
▪ hamper or impede (a person, movement, or action): "the state of the rivers will embarrass the enemy in a considerable degree"
▪ make difficult or intricate; complicate.
Word Originearly 17th century (in embarrass (sense 2 of the verb)): from French embarrasser, from Spanish embarazar, probably from Portuguese embaraçar (from baraço ‘halter’).
