Many English learners and writers often get confused between embarrass or embarass because the two spellings look almost identical. The main difference is the double letter “r” in the correct spelling. The correct word is embarrass, while embarass is a common spelling mistake and is not accepted in standard English.
The word embarrass is used in both American English and British English. It appears in everyday conversations, professional communication, school writing, social media posts, and personal messages. Understanding the correct spelling of embarrass helps you write more accurately and avoid one of the common English spelling errors.
This confusion usually happens because people forget that some English words contain double consonants. Learning the meaning, pronunciation, grammar usage, examples, and memory tricks can help you remember the correct spelling easily.
Quick Answer
✅ Correct: Embarrass
❌ Incorrect: Embarass
Embarrass means to make someone feel shy, uncomfortable, or ashamed.
Examples:
- I don’t want to embarrass you.
- The mistake embarrassed him.
Embarass is an incorrect spelling.
Embarrass Meaning
The word embarrass is a verb.
It means:
- To make someone feel ashamed
- To cause discomfort
- To make someone feel awkward
Examples:
- The joke embarrassed her.
- He embarrassed himself during the meeting.
- I did not mean to embarrass you.
Grammar Role of Embarrass
Embarrass is a verb.
Verb Forms:
| Form | Word |
|---|---|
| Base | embarrass |
| Past | embarrassed |
| Past participle | embarrassed |
| -ing form | embarrassing |
Examples:
- I embarrass myself sometimes.
- She embarrassed her friend.
- They have embarrassed the team.
- It is embarrassing.
Embarrass in American English
American English uses embarrass with a double r.
Examples:
- I don’t want to embarrass you.
- He embarrassed himself in class.
- That situation was embarrassing.
- She felt embarrassed after the mistake.
- The comment embarrassed everyone.
Embarrass in British English
British English also uses embarrass with the same spelling.
Examples:
- I didn’t mean to embarrass him.
- She was embarrassed by the question.
- The accident was embarrassing.
- He embarrassed his colleague.
- Don’t embarrass yourself.
There is no spelling difference between UK and US English.
Embarrass vs Embarass Comparison Table
| Feature | Embarrass | Embarass |
|---|---|---|
| Correct spelling | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Meaning | Cause shame or discomfort | No standard meaning |
| Grammar | Verb | Incorrect form |
| Double letters | rr + ss | Missing r |
| UK English | Correct | Wrong |
| US English | Correct | Wrong |
Pronunciation of Embarrass
The correct pronunciation is:
IPA: /ɪmˈbærəs/
Pronounced:
im-BAR-uhs
The spelling mistake happens because people may not notice the double r sound.
Why Do People Confuse Embarrass and Embarass?
People confuse these spellings because:
- The pronunciation does not clearly show double letters.
- Many English words do not follow simple spelling patterns.
- People often forget the repeated consonants.
The correct spelling contains:
em + barr + ass
Remember:
Two r’s and two s’s.
Word Origin and Etymology of Embarrass
The word embarrass comes from the French word:
embarrasser
Meaning:
- To block
- To confuse
- To obstruct
It entered English in the 1600s and developed the modern meaning of causing discomfort or awkwardness.
Embarrass Synonyms
| Synonym | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Shame | Make someone feel bad |
| Humiliate | Cause loss of confidence |
| Awkward | Create discomfort |
| Uncomfortable | Cause unease |
| Confuse | Make uncertain |
| Discomfort | Cause worry |
Examples:
- The mistake embarrassed him.
- The mistake humiliated him.
Common Mistakes and Corrections
1. Writing Embarass
❌ I don’t want to embarass you.
✅ I don’t want to embarrass you.
2. Forgetting Double “S”
❌ embarras
✅ embarrass
3. Wrong Past Form
❌ She embarassed me.
✅ She embarrassed me.
4. Confusing Embarrass and Embarrassed
Embarrass = verb
Embarrassed = feeling
Examples:
- He embarrassed me.
- I am embarrassed.
5. Wrong Adjective Form
❌ It was embarrass.
✅ It was embarrassing.
6. Incorrect Professional Writing
❌ This mistake may embarass the company.
✅ This mistake may embarrass the company.
7. Using Embarrass as a Noun
❌ It was an embarrass.
✅ It was embarrassing.
Real-Life Examples of Embarrass
Emails
- I hope this does not embarrass you.
- Sorry, I did not mean to embarrass anyone.
Office
- The mistake embarrassed the employee.
- Avoid embarrassing situations at work.
School
- The teacher did not want to embarrass the student.
- He felt embarrassed during the presentation.
Social Media
- That post embarrassed me.
- The video was embarrassing.
Everyday Conversation
- Don’t embarrass yourself.
- You are embarrassing me.
Memory Tricks to Remember Embarrass
1. Remember Double Letters
Embarrass has:
RR + SS
Think:
“Embarrass has extra letters because embarrassing moments feel extra.”
2. Break the Word
Em + barr + ass
3. Remember the French Origin
Embarrasser → Embarrass
4. Think About “Barrier”
Embarrass sounds like a barrier that blocks confidence.
5. Write It Repeatedly
Embarrass
Embarrass
Embarrass
FAQs
Is embarrass or embarass correct?
Embarrass is correct. Embarass is incorrect.
What does embarrass mean?
It means to make someone feel ashamed or uncomfortable.
How do you spell embarrass?
E-M-B-A-R-R-A-S-S
Is embarass a word?
No. It is a spelling mistake.
Is embarrass used in British English?
Yes. Both British and American English use embarrass.
How do you pronounce embarrass?
im-BAR-uhs.
What are synonyms of embarrass?
Shame, humiliate, discomfort, and confuse.
Is embarrass a verb?
Yes.
Example:
I don’t want to embarrass you.
People Also Ask
Why is embarrass spelled with two r’s?
English keeps the spelling from its historical development, and the double letters help maintain the original word form.
How can I remember embarrass spelling?
Remember: Embarrass has double RR and double SS.
What is the adjective form of embarrass?
The adjective forms are:
- embarrassed
- embarrassing
Conclusion
The difference between embarrass or embarass is easy to understand once you remember the correct spelling pattern. The correct word is embarrass, while embarass is a common mistake. The word embarrass means to make someone feel uncomfortable, ashamed, or awkward.
This word is used frequently in daily conversations, workplace communication, school situations, and online discussions. Many people misspell it because they forget the double letters. The easiest way to remember it is that embarrass contains double R and double S.
Using the correct spelling makes your English writing clearer and more professional. Whether you are writing an email, message, essay, or formal document, always choose embarrass, not embarass.
