a slightly embarrassed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly embarrassed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who feels a small amount of embarrassment in a particular situation. Example: "She gave a slightly embarrassed smile after realizing her mistake during the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As a slightly embarrassed Hogan comes centre stage, she begins a cover version of the Magnetic Fields Papaa Was a Rodeo in a surprising moment of country-singer-meets-country-pastiche.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But paleontologists have still had to contend with a slightly embarrassing gap in the fossil record: The oldest known bird fossil, Archaeopteryx, is much older than fossils of its closest dinosaurian relatives.

Science Magazine

Molly said she has had a "really positive reaction" to her song, which features stirring lyrics such as "power to the people", and predictions are suggesting it should definitely do better than Engelbert Humperdinck did in 2012 - coming a slightly embarrassing 25th out of 26.

BBC

A man came out of a nearby house looking slightly embarrassed.

The Guardian

"Just take a look," he said, slightly embarrassed.

The New Yorker

Then he laughed a little and seemed slightly embarrassed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Reviewing the production in The New York Times, Ben Brantley wrote, "Mr. Piven insists that you are always aware of his character's soft and craven center, but in ways that hold a mirror to anyone who has ever felt even slightly embarrassed about a romantic attachment".

The New York Times

The other category is the memoir, which almost universally treats hypochondria with a jokey remove, as if slightly embarrassed to be talking about the condition.

The New Yorker

I'm slightly embarrassed that a piece that was dedicated to the deaths of real people should be associated with a film such as that, but that was the decision I had made".

The Guardian - Music

And there were a few facts I'm slightly embarrassed to admit to having picked up, for example, does everyone else already know that lemon curd is not an unfortunate byproduct but rather something you make on purpose to put on scones?

The New York Times

His membership didn't last longer than a year, and he looks slightly embarrassed when it comes up, but says: "Do you know what, this is going to sound corny to you, but they were lovely, genuine fellas, like myself, just didn't know the score.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slightly embarrassed" to convey a mild sense of awkwardness or discomfort without exaggerating the emotion. It's effective when describing someone's reaction to a minor mistake or social faux pas.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly" with intense emotions like anger or grief, as it can create an incongruous or dismissive effect. Reserve "slightly" for genuinely mild feelings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly embarrassed" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun by describing the state or feeling of being mildly embarrassed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and effectively used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slightly embarrassed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a mild sense of awkwardness or discomfort. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability, particularly in news and media contexts. When writing, consider using alternatives like "a little embarrassed" or "somewhat embarrassed" for variety, but avoid using "slightly" with strong emotions. The phrase is neutral in tone, making it versatile for various writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A little embarrassed

Replaces "slightly" with "little", indicating a similar but perhaps subtly different degree of embarrassment.

Somewhat embarrassed

Uses "somewhat" instead of "slightly", offering a near-identical level of embarrassment.

Mildly embarrassed

Employs "mildly" to indicate a gentle degree of embarrassment, closely mirroring the original.

A touch embarrassed

Replaces "slightly" with "a touch", giving a similar meaning but with a more delicate tone.

A shade embarrassed

Substitutes "slightly" with "a shade", conveying a minimal degree of embarrassment.

A trifle embarrassed

Uses "trifle" instead of "slightly", offering a more archaic or formal tone to the mild embarrassment.

Rather embarrassed

Increases the intensity slightly by using "rather", suggesting a more noticeable level of embarrassment.

A bit ashamed

Shifts the emotion from embarrassment to a mild sense of shame, implying a slightly stronger feeling.

A little sheepish

Replaces "embarrassed" with "sheepish", indicating a similar but perhaps more subdued reaction.

Slightly self-conscious

Focuses on the self-awareness aspect of embarrassment, highlighting the feeling of being observed.

FAQs

What does "a slightly embarrassed" mean?

The phrase "a slightly embarrassed" describes a state of mild discomfort or awkwardness, less intense than full-blown embarrassment but still noticeable. It suggests a person feels a little self-conscious or uneasy due to a minor social mishap or realization.

How can I use "a slightly embarrassed" in a sentence?

You can use "a slightly embarrassed" to describe someone's reaction to something. For example: "She gave "a slightly embarrassed smile" after tripping on stage."

What are some alternatives to saying "a slightly embarrassed"?

Alternatives include "a little embarrassed", "somewhat embarrassed", or "mildly embarrassed", each conveying a similar level of mild awkwardness.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a slightly embarrassed"?

Yes, "a slightly embarrassed" is grammatically correct. It uses "slightly" as an adverb to modify the adjective "embarrassed", forming a descriptive phrase.