shame

American  

[sheym] / ʃeɪm /

noun

1. the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper, ridiculous, etc., done by oneself or another.

   She was overcome with shame.

   Antonyms:

   self-respect, self-esteem, pride

2. susceptibility to this feeling.

   to be without shame.

3. disgrace; ignominy.

   His actions brought shame upon his parents.

4. a fact or circumstance bringing disgrace or regret.

   The bankruptcy of the business was a shame. It was a shame you couldn't come with us.

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verb (used with object)

shamed, shaming

1. to cause to feel shame; make ashamed.

   His cowardice shamed him.

   Synonyms:

   embarrass, abash, humble, mortify, humiliate

2. to publicly humiliate or shame for being or doing something specified (usually used in combination): dog-shaming pictures of canines chewing up shoes.

   kids who've been fat-shamed and bullied;

   dog-shaming pictures of canines chewing up shoes.

3. to drive, force, etc., through shame.

   He shamed her into going.

4. to cover with ignominy or reproach; disgrace.

idioms

1. 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.

2. for shame! you should feel ashamed!.

   What a thing to say to your mother! For shame!

shame British  

/ ʃeɪm /

noun

1. a painful emotion resulting from an awareness of having done something dishonourable, unworthy, degrading, etc

2. capacity to feel such an emotion

3. ignominy or disgrace

4. a person or thing that causes this

5. an occasion for regret, disappointment, etc

   it's a shame you can't come with us

6. 1. to disgrace

   2. to surpass totally

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interjection

1. informal

   1. an expression of sympathy

   2. an expression of pleasure or endearment

verb

1. to cause to feel shame

2. to bring shame on; disgrace

3. (often foll by into) to compel through a sense of shame

   he shamed her into making an apology

4. See name

shame More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing shame

• crying shame
• for shame
• put to shame

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• half-shamed adjective
• outshame verb (used with object)
• shamable adjective
• shamably adverb
• shameable adjective
• shameably adverb
• unshamable adjective
• unshameable adjective
• unshamed adjective

Etymology

Origin of shame

First recorded before 900; (noun) Middle English; Old English sc(i)amu; cognate with German Scham, Old Norse skǫmm; (verb) Middle English schamen, shamien “to be ashamed,” Old English sc(e)amian, derivative of the noun

Explanation

Shame is a painful feeling that's a mix of regret, self-hate, and dishonor. A good person would feel shame if they cheated on a test or did something mean to a friend. Feeling shame — or being ashamed — is one of the most miserable feelings of them all. When you feel shame, you feel like a bad person and regret what you did. If you're trying to make someone else feel bad by scolding them, you're shaming them. People also often say, "That's a shame," when something bad happens — meaning it's sad or a pity.

Example Sentences

“I noticed you cashed the check 10 days after the wedding. It’s a shame you didn’t run as fast to the post office to send a thank-you note as you did to the bank.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

Also, don’t embarrass your friend or shame her daughter by mentioning it to your friend, even in passing.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

They’re afflicted by this weight or recognize their responsibility in it or feel some combination of shame, remorse, disgust and grief.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

The old cast remember who they were and throw themselves headlong into their parts; the newcomers, who are given a lot to do, keep up, and it’s a shame we won’t see more of them.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

“And what’s even worse than the money is the shame you brought on us by compromising your . . .” He sputtered, unable to say the words.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• confusion
• contempt
• guilt
• humiliation
• irritation
• remorse
• scandal
• stigma