Shameful
/ˈʃeɪmfəl/
Definitions
Causing or deserving shame or disgrace.
/ˈʃeɪmfəl/
Causing or deserving shame.
His behavior during the meeting was shameful and unprofessional.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone does something really embarrassing or wrong. If it makes you feel bad for them or makes them look bad, that's a shameful thing to have done. It's like a big 'oops!' that everyone can see.
👶 For kids: Something that is shameful makes you feel bad or embarrassed.
More Examples
The treatment of the prisoners was considered a shameful act of cruelty.
It is shameful that so many people are homeless in this wealthy city.
How It's Used
"The company's actions were considered shameful by the public."
"The judge called the defendant's behavior shameful."
Idioms & expressions
hang one's head in shame
To feel very ashamed or embarrassed.
"After his mistake, he hung his head in shame."
From Middle English *schameful*, equivalent to shame + -ful. Cognate with Dutch schandelijk, German schändlich.
The word has been used since the 14th century to describe actions causing shame and disgrace, and is often seen in moralistic or ethical contexts.
Memory tip
Think of a time you felt ashamed; that feeling or the action that caused it is shameful.