First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1shame
noun \ˈshām\
: a feeling of guilt, regret, or sadness that you have because you know you have done something wrong
: ability to feel guilt, regret, or embarrassment
: dishonor or disgrace
Full Definition of SHAME
1
a : a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, or impropriety b : the susceptibility to such emotion <have you no shame?>
2
: a condition of humiliating disgrace or disrepute : ignominy <the shame of being arrested>
3
a : something that brings censure or reproach; also : something to be regretted : pity <it's a shame you can't go> b : a cause of feeling shame
See shame defined for English-language learners
See shame defined for kids
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Origin of SHAME
Middle English, from Old English scamu; akin to Old High German scama shame
Related to SHAME
- Synonyms
- contriteness, contrition, penitence, regret, remorse, remorsefulness, repentance, rue, self-reproach, guilt
- Antonyms
- impenitence, remorselessness
2shame
transitive verb
: to cause (someone) to feel ashamed
: to force (someone) to act in a specified way by causing feelings of shame or guilt
shamedsham·ing
Full Definition of SHAME
1
: to bring shame to : disgrace <shamed the family name>
2
: to put to shame by outdoing
3
: to cause to feel shame
4
: to force by causing to feel guilty <shamed into confessing>
First Known Use of SHAME
13th century
SHAME Defined for Kids
1shame
noun \ˈshām\
Definition of SHAME for Kids
1
: a painful emotion caused by having done something wrong or improper
2
: ability to feel shame <Have you no shame?>
4
: something that brings disgrace or causes painful emotion or strong regret <It's a shame he couldn't join us.>
2shame
verb
shamedsham·ing
Definition of SHAME for Kids
1
: to make ashamed <I was shamed by my actions.>
2
3
: to force by causing to feel shame <They were shamed into confessing.>
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