Definition and meaning of English word "shame"
shame
/ʃeɪm/
Meaning
NounAn uncomfortable or painful feeling due to recognition or consciousness of one's own impropriety or dishonor, or something being exposed that should have been kept private.
How to use
The word 'shame' is often used in formal and informal contexts to express feelings of guilt, regret, or embarrassment. A common grammatical nuance is that 'shame' can be followed by a gerund or a prepositional phrase, as in 'I feel shame for what I did' or 'There is shame in being wrong.' Learners should note that 'shame' can also be used to express a sense of pity or disappointment, as in 'It's a shame that the event was cancelled.'
🇬🇧 English
shame
Example
The teenager couldn’t bear the shame of introducing his parents.
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Common phrases
- feel shame— feel shame
- bring shame— bring shame
- shame on you— shame on you
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #1374 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "shame" mean?▼
The English word "shame" means "shame" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "shame"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "shame" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "shame"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Let's discuss the word shame." (which translates as "shame").
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