How to pronounce shamefaced
Say it like SHAYM-fayst. Shamefaced has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHAYM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce shamefaced. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SHAYM
- fayst
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Shamefaced pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SHAYMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- faystGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of shamefaced
American and British speakers say shamefaced in essentially the same way: /ˈʃeɪmˌfeɪst/ in the US and /ˈʃeɪmˌfeɪst/ in the UK.
British respelling: SHAYM-fayst.
What does shamefaced mean?
- Bashful, showing modesty or embarrassment.
- Ashamed, displaying shame, especially by blushing in the face.
Where does shamefaced come from?
Alteration (due to folk etymology: shame + faced) of shamefast, from Middle English schamefast, schamfast, sceomefest, from Old English sċamfæst (“modest”), equivalent to shame + fast.
Questions about saying shamefaced
How do you pronounce shamefaced?
Say SHAYM-fayst. The American pronunciation is /ˈʃeɪmˌfeɪst/. In British English it is /ˈʃeɪmˌfeɪst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in shamefaced?
Shamefaced has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SHAYM). Broken into parts: SHAYM · fayst.
Do Americans and Brits say shamefaced the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈʃeɪmˌfeɪst/ and the British form is /ˈʃeɪmˌfeɪst/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.