# shame

Pronunciation: say "SHAYM" /ʃeɪm/

## Noun

1. A painful feeling caused by awareness of one's own wrongdoing or dishonor, or by having something private exposed.
   - Simple: A bad feeling you get when you have done something wrong or embarrassing.
   - _A wave of shame washed over him as the secret came out._
   - _She lowered her eyes in shame when the teacher read her note aloud._
2. An unfortunate or regrettable thing; a cause for disappointment.
   - Simple: A thing that is sad or disappointing and makes you wish it were different.
   - _It's such a shame the old theater is closing after fifty years._
   - _What a shame that talent like hers goes unnoticed._
3. Dishonor or disgrace brought on by reproach; loss of respect and standing.
   - Simple: A loss of honor and respect because of something bad that you or someone close to you did.
   - _The defeat brought lasting shame upon the once-proud regiment._
   - _He bore the shame of his family's bankruptcy for years._
6. The capacity to feel shame, which holds a person back from shameless behavior; a sense of decency and restraint.
   - Simple: A sense of right and wrong that stops you from acting badly.
   - _He acted without any shame, cutting in line ahead of the elderly._
   - _Have you no shame, taking credit for someone else's work?_
9. A person or thing that brings reproach and dishonor onto others; a cause of disgrace.
   - Simple: A person or thing that brings dishonor to others.
   - _He was branded a shame to his noble family._
   - _Their cowardice was a shame to the entire regiment._
12. A modest term for what is shameful and private, especially the genitals.
   - Simple: A polite, old word for the private parts of the body.
   - _The fig leaf concealed Adam's shame in the old painting._
   - _She wrapped a robe about her, covering her shame from the strangers._

## Verb

4. To publicly denounce or criticize someone in order to make them feel shame.
   - Simple: To publicly blame someone for doing something wrong.
   - _Activists shamed the corporation for polluting the river._
   - _The tabloids tried to shame her for her past._
5. To make someone feel ashamed, sometimes in order to push them into doing something.
   - Simple: To make someone feel ashamed, sometimes so that they will do something.
   - _Her calm, honest apology shamed him more than any angry words could have._
   - _Her generosity would shame anyone into giving a little more._
8. To bring reproach and disgrace upon someone; to dishonor.
   - Simple: To bring dishonor onto someone or something.
   - _The scandal shamed a dynasty that had ruled for centuries._
   - _He feared his failure would shame his ancestors._

## Interjection

7. Called out to denounce a speaker or to back another's denunciation, often shouted twice in political debates.
   - Simple: Shouted to say that someone has done something wrong and should be blamed.
   - _“Shame! Shame!” the opposition benches roared as the minister sat down._
   - _Members rose to their feet shouting “Shame!” at the announcement._
11. Used to express sympathy or tender feeling toward someone or something. *(South Africa)*
   - Simple: Said to show you feel sorry for someone or something.
   - _“Shame, she's been waiting all day for news.”_
   - _When the baby started crying, her aunt cooed, “Ag, shame, what's wrong?”_

## Adjective

10. In Aboriginal English, feeling ashamed, shy, or embarrassed, especially in front of other people. *(Australia)*
   - Simple: Feeling shy, embarrassed, or ashamed, especially around other people.
   - _The kids were too shame to talk to the visitors._
   - _Don't be shame to ask the elders for help._

## Verb

13. To mock or deride someone. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To make fun of someone in a cruel way.
14. To feel shame; to be ashamed. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To feel ashamed, especially about doing something.

## Origin

**Meanings 1–3, 6–7, 9–12** — Proto-Germanic *skamō gave Old English sċamu, which became Middle English schame. German Scham, Swedish skam and Icelandic skömm, which all mean "shame," are related.
**Meanings 4–5, 8, 13–14** — Proto-Germanic *skamāną led through Proto-West Germanic *skamēn to Old English sċamian, later Middle English schamen. Related verbs include Dutch schamen and German schämen ("to be ashamed") and Gothic skaman.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/shame (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).