Definition

The quality of feeling or showing shame or embarrassment.

Example

His shamefacedness was evident when he realized his mistake in front of everyone.

Conversation

I felt such a wave of shamefacedness after forgetting her birthday.

It happens to the best of us; we all make mistakes sometimes.

Yeah, but I really should have remembered it.

True, but a heartfelt apology can go a long way.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Shamefacedness is formed from "shame" (from Old English "sceamu", meaning a painful feeling of humiliation or distress) and "faced" (from Old French "face", meaning the front part of the head or surface). The suffix "-ness" (meaning the state or quality of) indicates the state of being shamefaced. Thus, shamefacedness refers to the quality of being characterized by shame or embarrassment, particularly in one's demeanor or expression.

Memory Tip

Think of the feeling of 'shame' and how it shows on your 'face' — the '-ness' at the end tells you it's about the state of having that expression. This helps you remember that shamefacedness is the quality of showing shame.

Visually Confused Words