Embarrassedly

Part of speech: adverb

Definitions

1. In a way that indicates a sense of shame or awkwardness in social situations, often resulting in a lack of confidence during interactions
2. Acting with an awareness of uncomfortable emotions, making one feel self-conscious in the presence of others, leading to social unease
3. In a manner that reflects discomfort or self-consciousness in social contexts, frequently causing hesitation or awkwardness in communication

Etymology: "Embarrassedly" is simply "embarrassed" with the suffix "-ly" attached, so the interesting part of its history lies in that ending. The suffix descends from a Proto-Germanic word meaning "body" or "form," which is related to the English word "like." It developed through Proto-West Germanic and Old English as "-līce," meaning "in the manner of," before shrinking to the Middle English "-ly." The same ending turns "quick" into "quickly" and "kind" into "kindly," so each of these adverbs carries the same old idea of "in the form of." The base word "embarrassed" came into English from French "embarrasser," meaning "to block" or "to hinder," and it shows how a physical obstruction became a feeling. Someone who was embarrassed was once literally hampered, as if tangled up or stopped in their path. Adding "-ly" gives a sense of how one behaves while in that hampered state, so the adverb describes doing something with the awkward self-consciousness of someone who feels caught out.

Synonyms: awkwardly, sheepishly, self-consciously

Antonyms: confidently, assuredly, poised