totally embarrassed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally embarrassed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to describe a state of extreme shame, discomfort, or humiliation. For example, "I felt totally embarrassed when I spilled coffee on my boss's shirt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"I was totally embarrassed -- completely embarrassed by the lack of seriousness, the lack of focus on the issues that really matter to the American people -- issues about reviving our economy and addressing joblessness were given short shrift," said the former Utah governor.

Huffington Post

They came into our building and totally embarrassed us".

The New York Times

"First of all, I was just totally embarrassed about our performance," Frank said.

The New York Times - Sports

"Serious bike riders would be totally embarrassed to show up at a race in a noseless saddle," Mr. Flax said.

The New York Times - Science

Enough so that if someone came to the door and knocked on it you wouldn't be totally embarrassed".

The New Yorker

Totally embarrassed, I got up to my feet and found myself standing across from an annoyed but dapper gentleman dressed in tweed.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

I left the school in tears feeling totally humiliated and embarrassed".

Huffington Post

He must have been in his 70s or 80s, and the whole family was just totally mortified and embarrassed.

Vice

He said onstage that the $20,0000 prize (nearly $29,000) made him feel "embarrassed" and "totally humiliated".

The New York Times - Arts

"Completely embarrassed.

The New York Times - Sports

If you are easily embarrassed or you have an important rep to protect, it's probably not a good idea to act silly in public and make a fool of yourself, people will stare and you will be totally humiliated.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing fiction, use the phrase to highlight a character's vulnerability or to create comedic moments through exaggerated reactions.

Common error

While "totally embarrassed" is acceptable in many situations, it may sound too informal for academic papers or business reports. Consider using more formal alternatives like "deeply ashamed" or "greatly humiliated" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally embarrassed" functions as a descriptive expression, modifying a subject's state of being. As Ludwig AI confirms, it expresses an intense feeling of shame or humiliation. It amplifies the adjective "embarrassed" using the adverb "totally."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "totally embarrassed" effectively conveys a strong feeling of shame or humiliation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in diverse contexts. It is commonly used in news and media, as well as in academic writings, although its formality is generally neutral to informal. When choosing to use this expression, consider the intensity of the emotion you wish to portray and whether a more formal alternative might be more appropriate for your intended audience. To express a similar meaning you can also use "completely mortified" or "utterly humiliated".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly humiliated

Emphasizes the feeling of deep shame and loss of pride.

thoroughly humiliated

Similar to 'utterly humiliated', this emphasizes the complete nature of the humiliation.

completely mortified

Highlights the extreme feeling of embarrassment and shame.

quite mortified

Similar to 'completely mortified', but may suggest a slightly lesser degree of intensity.

totally ashamed

Emphasizes the feeling of shame

deeply ashamed

Focuses on the internal feeling of guilt and embarrassment.

highly embarrassed

Uses a more formal tone.

incredibly awkward

Suggests a feeling of discomfort and mild embarrassment.

extremely chagrined

Highlights a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or failure.

very uncomfortable

Focuses on the unease and discomfort caused by the situation.

FAQs

What does "totally embarrassed" mean?

The phrase "totally embarrassed" describes a state of feeling extreme shame, discomfort, or humiliation. It suggests a strong emotional reaction to a situation.

What can I say instead of "totally embarrassed"?

You can use alternatives like "utterly humiliated", "completely mortified", or "deeply ashamed" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "totally embarrassed" in formal writing?

While understandable, "totally embarrassed" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, consider using alternatives such as "deeply ashamed" or "greatly humiliated".

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

You can use it like, "I felt "totally embarrassed" when I realized I had been talking loudly on my phone in the library", or "The team was "totally embarrassed" by their unexpected loss."