4 syllables: Em, bar, rass, ing. Stress on bar.
im-BER-uh-sing
/ɪˈmbɛɹəsɪŋ/
Embarrassing is pronounced im-BER-uh-sing (/ɪˈmbɛɹəsɪŋ/). It has four syllables (Em-bar-rass-ing), with the stress on "bar". Embarrassing is an adjective describing something that causes feelings of shame, awkwardness, or discomfort. It typically refers to events or moments that provoke self-consciousness in social situations. The term carries a slightly informal tone and often implies a humorous or cringe-worthy quality rather than severe disgrace.
adjectiveEmbarrassing is an adjective describing something that causes feelings of shame, awkwardness, or discomfort. It typically refers to events or moments that provoke self-consciousness in social situations. The term carries a slightly informal tone and often implies a humorous or cringe-worthy quality rather than severe disgrace.
Tips: use breath support to sustain the second syllable, exaggerate slightly in practice, then normalize; record yourself, compare to a native speaker, repeat until the pattern feels natural.
"Her trip on the stairs was embarrassing but harmless, and she laughed it off."
"It was embarrassing to realize I had been talking to the manager with spinach on my teeth."
"The comedian's joke fell flat, which was unexpectedly embarrassing for the whole audience."
Pronounced im-BAR-uh-sing with three syllables. IPA US: /ɪmˈbærəsɪŋ/, UK: /ɪmˈbarəsɪŋ/, AU: /ɪmˈbærəsɪŋ/. Emphasize the second syllable, with a clear /æ/ as in cat, and a soft /ɪ/ in the final -ing. The middle /ə/ is a brief schwa, so the sequence becomes im-BAR-uh-sing. Tip: keep the lips relaxed at the /ə/ and avoid turning the final into a strong /ɪŋ/.” ,
Common errors: (1) Stressing the first syllable im-BARR-ess-ing instead of im-BAR-uh-sing; (2) pronouncing /æ/ as /e/ or /a/ in certain accents, giving /im-bə-RESS-ing/; (3) slurring the middle schwa into a reduced /ə/ too quickly, resulting in im-BAR-sing. Correction tips: practice im-BAR-uh-sing slowly, feel the /æ/ in the bar, insert a light /ə/ before the final syllable, and slow the ending -ing to an audible /ɪŋ/. Use minimal pairs like ‘bar’ vs ‘bear’ to lock the vowel quality.” ,
US: clear /æ/ as in bar, secondary stress on the second syllable with a lighter /ə/. UK: slightly shorter final syllable with a rounded /ɪŋ/; some speakers reduce the second syllable more, but keep /æ/ clear. AU: similar to US but with a more centralized schwa in the middle and a flatter intonation; some speakers might reduce to im-BAR-sinɡ in rapid speech. Focus on keeping /æ/ bright in BAR and a crisp -ing suffix.
The difficulty lies in the multi-syllable rhythm and the mid word vowel sequence. The middle /æ/ followed by a light /ə/ (schwa) can sound like two quick, different vowels if rushed. The final -ing requires a clear /ɪŋ/ rather than a nasalized or reduced form. Balancing stress with the secondary stress on -BAR- while maintaining fluency across all three syllables makes this word tricky for non-native speakers.
Emphasizing the second syllable, im-BAR-uh-sing, is unique because English often carries a secondary stress signal around the root -BAR- segment. The combination of a strong /æ/ then a light schwa before -sing makes the flow vary between speakers. The need to enunciate a final clear -ing (/ɪŋ/) rather than a pseudo-nasal ending differentiates it from similar words like embarrassed or barrier.”
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Vowel details: /ɪmˈbærəsɪŋ/ US vs /ɪmˈbarəsɪŋ/ UK; AU /ɪmˈbærəsɪŋ/ with a tendency for to raise or reduce the second syllable slightly. IPA references: /ɪ/ in first, /æ/ in BAR, schwa /ə/ in the middle, /ɪŋ/ final. Consonants: keep /b/ and /r/ precise, avoid flapping in careful speech.
Practical tips: practice with exaggerated mouth shapes for /æ/ and /ɪ/; keep throat open for /ə/ to prevent compression; use rhythm to ensure the second syllable is stressed even during fast speech.
Embarrassing derives from the late Middle English word embarras, from Old French esbrasser/embarras meaning impediment or hindrance, tracing to the Italian imbarrare (‘to hinder’) or the Germanic borrowings of the sense of obstructing. The form evolved through incorporating the -ing participial suffix to signal the ongoing state caused by an action. The sense shifted from physical obstruction to the social discomfort of being on display or exposed, as in public shame or awkward exposure. The modern English usage solidified in the 18th and 19th centuries, with emphasis on social embarrassment rather than mere obstruction. First known uses appear in dictionaries of the late 1700s, where the adjective was applied to situations causing a person to feel uncomfortable or self-conscious. Over time, 'embarrassing' broadened to describe broadly cringe-inducing moments, including verbal slips, wardrobe malfunctions, or socially awkward revelations. The word’s evolution mirrors cultural emphasis on social grace, politeness, and the perception of others' judgments. Today, it commonly collocates with experiences, moments, events, or errors that trigger mild to moderate reputational risk, often with a light, humorous undertone.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Embarrassing" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Embarrassing"
-ing sounds
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