How to pronounce embarrassed
Say it like im-BER-ust. Embarrassed has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce embarrassed. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- im
- BER
- ust
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Embarrassed pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- imKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- BERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ustKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of embarrassed
American and British speakers say embarrassed in essentially the same way: /ɪmˈbɛrəst/ in the US and /ɪmˈbærəst/ in the UK.
British respelling: im-BAR-ust.
What does embarrassed mean?
- feeling or caused to feel ill at ease or self-conscious or ashamed“felt abashed at the extravagant praise”“chagrined at the poor sales of his book”
- made to feel uncomfortable because of shame or wounded pride“too embarrassed to say hello to his drunken father on the street”“humiliated that his wife had to go out to work”
Where does embarrassed come from?
Past participle of embarrass.
Questions about saying embarrassed
How do you pronounce embarrassed?
Say im-BER-ust. The American pronunciation is /ɪmˈbɛrəst/. In British English it is /ɪmˈbærəst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in embarrassed?
Embarrassed has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (BER). Broken into parts: im · BER · ust.
Do Americans and Brits say embarrassed the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɪmˈbɛrəst/ and the British form is /ɪmˈbærəst/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.