em·bar·rass [ em bárrəss ](past and past participleem·bar·rassed, present participleem·bar·rass·ing, 3rd person present singularem·bar·rass·es)
verb
Definition:
1. transitive and intransitive verb make or become self-conscious: to become or cause somebody to become painfully self-conscious, ill at ease, ashamed, or humiliated He's easily embarrassed.
2. transitive verb hold somebody or something up: to hinder or impede somebody or something
(
archaic
)
(
often passive
)
[Late 17th century. Via French embarrasser "impede, disconcert" < Portuguese embaraçar< baraço "halter"]
Word Usage
Note the spelling with -rr- and -ass. Harass has only one r.
