adjective
ashamed
uh-SHAYMD/əˈʃeɪmd/
Feeling guilt or embarrassment about something.
The child feels ashamed beside the flowerpot he knocked over.
Etymology
The intensive prefix reinforces the verb meaning “feel shame,” giving the idea of being filled with shame. The adjective preserves the past participle of a now-obsolete verb, describing the resulting emotional state.
In context
stayed at home and hid my drinking I tried to hide it I'm sure everybody knew about it but um I didn't want to be seen I didn't I was ashamed of course
More examples
- She was ashamed of her unkind remark.
- He felt ashamed to admit the mistake.
- They were ashamed that they had not helped sooner.
Forms
ashamed
shame noun — Distress over something considered wrong or embarrassing.
Similar words
- embarrassed
- Feels awkward or exposed, without necessarily moral fault.
- remorseful
- Feels regret for wrongdoing and its consequences.