Embarrass or Embarass: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-03 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: The correct spelling is embarrass. Many writers mistakenly drop one of the two r's, creating the incorrect form embarass. This simple typo changes the word entirely, so it is important to remember the double r and double s for proper usage.

The Short Answer

The correct spelling is embarrass. This word contains two r's and two s's, and no other variation is accepted in standard English.

People often confuse the spelling because the sound of the middle syllable can be ambiguous when spoken. Writers may instinctively shorten the word, forgetting that the root requires both duplicated letters to be valid.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
embarrass	Correct	Writing about feelings of shame, awkwardness, or humiliation in formal or casual text.
embarass	Incorrect	Never use this spelling; it is a common typographical error that should always be avoided.
Embarrassment	Correct	Referring to the noun form of the feeling, such as a state of discomfort or confusion.
Embarrassed	Correct	Describing someone who currently feels shame or awkwardness due to a specific situation.

Correct Example Sentences

She felt deeply embarrassed after forgetting her best friend's birthday during a loud party.
The awkward silence only served to embarrass the speaker who had lost his train of thought.
Please do not embarrass me by shouting my nickname in front of these new colleagues.
It is natural to feel embarrassed when you make a mistake in public for the first time.
The teacher tried not to embarrass the student who gave the wrong answer during the quiz.
He wore a red tie to the event to avoid embarrassing himself with a fashion faux pas.
Her blushing face clearly showed how embarrassed she was by the unexpected compliment from her boss.
The comedian used self-deprecating humor to stop the audience from feeling embarrassed for him.
Do not let a small typo embarrass your professional reputation in an important email chain.
They apologized quickly to prevent the situation from embarrassing the entire family at dinner.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

I was embarassed to see my old photos online.: I was embarrassed to see my old photos online.
Please do not embarass me in front of your friends.: Please do not embarrass me in front of your friends.
The news report caused great embarassment for the company.: The news report caused great embarrassment for the company.
He did not want to embarass his younger sister.: He did not want to embarrass his younger sister.
She felt embarassed when she tripped on the stage.: She felt embarrassed when she tripped on the stage.
The goal of the joke was not to embarass anyone.: The goal of the joke was not to embarrass anyone.

A Quick Test You Can Use

Check if the context involves feelings of shame, awkwardness, or humiliation. If the sentence describes a social stumble or a moment of regret, use the full standard spelling with double letters. Any variation that shortens the word is incorrect in this context.

Related Word Pairs

Affect vs Effect: Use affect as a verb for actions and effect as a noun for results.
Lie vs Lay: Use lie for resting without an object and lay for placing something down.
Then vs Than: Use then for time sequences and than for making comparisons between items.
Their vs There: Use their for possession and there to indicate a specific place or location.
Loose vs Lose: Use loose for something not tight and lose for failing to win or keep.

More Example Sentences

The politician tried to avoid embarrassing the senator during the televised debate.
Finding her phone left on the bus was deeply embarrassing for the tourist.
Please do not embarrass your classmates by revealing the answer before they are ready.
The loud pop of the microphone startled everyone and embarrassed the singer.
It is embarrassing to admit that I forgot how to play this simple game.
His attempt to impress the crowd only served to embarrass himself further.
She wore a long coat to hide the stain and prevent any embarrassment.
The teacher smiled kindly so the child would not feel embarrassed about his accent.
Public speaking often causes embarrassment even for experienced professionals.
We felt embarrassed by the misunderstanding and apologized immediately.

Quick Practice

I felt when I realized I was wearing my shirt inside out.

embarrassed

He tried hard not to his guests with the strange food choices.

embarrass

The situation became increasingly as the crowd grew larger.

embarrassing

It is natural to feel after making a public mistake.

embarrassed

She did not want to her parents by failing the test.

embarrass

The truth is that I have never seen that movie before.

embarrassing

Frequently Asked Questions

Is embarass an accepted variant of embarrass?

No, embarass is never accepted in standard English. It is considered a spelling error and should always be corrected to embarrass with double r and double s.

Why do so many people spell it wrong?

The word has two pairs of repeated letters, which makes it tricky to type quickly. Many writers accidentally drop one letter without realizing the mistake until they proofread later.

Can I use embarrassed as an adjective?

Yes, embarrassed functions as an adjective describing a person's emotional state. You can say someone looks embarrassed or feels embarrassed after an awkward social interaction occurs.

What is the noun form of this word?

The noun form is embarrassment. It refers to the feeling of awkwardness or shame itself. For example, you might apologize for the embarrassment caused by a loud noise.