What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
embarrassed
Example
She was embarrassed when she realized she had food stuck in her teeth. [embarrassed: adjective]
Example
He felt embarrassed when he tripped and fell in front of everyone. [embarrassed: past tense verb]
uncomfortable
Example
The chair was so hard that it made her uncomfortable. [uncomfortable: adjective]
Example
He felt uncomfortable speaking in front of such a large audience. [uncomfortable: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Uncomfortable is more commonly used than embarrassed in everyday language. Uncomfortable is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while embarrassed is less common and is typically used in social situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between embarrassed and uncomfortable?
Both embarrassed and uncomfortable can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but embarrassed may be considered slightly more formal due to its association with social situations.