shame

[ sheym ]
/ ʃeɪm /

noun

verb (used with object), shamed, sham·ing.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU FEEL THE WEAL WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ?

Did you collect all of last week’s words, but eftsoons forget what they mean? Don’t worry, we’re here to jog your memory. See how many words from the week of May 18 to 24 you can get right!
Question 1 of 7
weal
well-being, prosperity, or happiness.
the intervening time.
a somewhat prolonged, sharp, shrill cry, as of pain, fear, or surprise.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms for shame

    for shame! you should feel ashamed!: What a thing to say to your mother! For shame!
    put to shame,
    1. to cause to suffer shame or disgrace.
    2. to outdo; surpass: She played so well she put all the other tennis players to shame.

Origin of shame

before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English sc(e)amu; cognate with German Scham, Old Norse skǫmm; (v.) Middle English schamen, shamien to be ashamed, Old English sc(e)amian, derivative of the noun

SYNONYMS FOR shame

1 Shame, embarrassment, mortification, humiliation, chagrin designate different kinds or degrees of painful feeling caused by injury to one's pride or self-respect. Shame is a painful feeling caused by the consciousness or exposure of unworthy or indecent conduct or circumstances: One feels shame at being caught in a lie. It is similar to guilt in the nature and origin of the feeling. Embarrassment usually refers to a feeling less painful than that of shame, one associated with less serious situations, often of a social nature: embarrassment over breaking a teacup at a party. Mortification is a more painful feeling, akin to shame but also more likely to arise from specifically social circumstances: his mortification at being singled out for rebuke. Humiliation is mortification at being humbled in the estimation of others: Being ignored gives one a sense of humiliation. Chagrin is humiliation mingled with vexation or anger: She felt chagrin at her failure to remember her promise.
5 humiliate, mortify, humble, abash, embarrass.

ANTONYMS FOR shame

1 pride, self-esteem, self-respect.

OTHER WORDS FROM shame

Words nearby shame

shamateur, shamba, shamble, shambles, shambolic, shame, shame on you, shamefaced, shamefast, shameful, shameless
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for for shame

shame
/ (ʃeɪm) /

noun

interjection

Southern African informal
  1. an expression of sympathy
  2. an expression of pleasure or endearment

verb (tr)

Derived forms of shame

shamable or shameable, adjective

Word Origin for shame

Old English scamu; related to Old Norse skömm, Old High German skama
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with for shame (1 of 2)

for shame

Also, shame on you. An expression that condemns someone for being dishonorable or disgraceful. For example, “For shame,” said Carol to the puppy, “You shouldn't have done that,” or “Shame on you for cheating,” the teacher said. [c. 1300]

Idioms and Phrases with for shame (2 of 2)

shame
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.