What is shame? Pronunciation and usage in English

shame means . Learn how to pronounce and use shame through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of shame

shamenoun

/ʃeɪm/
Definition & pronunciation of shame

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "shame" in English. Here's a breakdown and a few different ways to approach it:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ʃeɪm/ (rhymes with "game" or "day")

Let's break that down further:

  • "sh": Pronounced like the "sh" in "shoe."
  • "ae": This is a diphthong – a combination of two vowel sounds. It sounds like the "ay" in "say" or "day." It's a blended sound, not two separate vowels.
  • "m": Pronounced like the "m" in "man."

Here’s a slightly more detailed breakdown for those who want to really nail it:

  1. Start with the "sh" sound: Make the "sh" sound as you would in "shoe."

  2. Blend in the "ay" sound: As you transition from the "sh" sound, smoothly combine it with the sound of "ay" (like in "say"). It should feel like a single, flowing sound.

  3. Say the "m": Finish the word by pronouncing the "m" sound as you would in "man."

Resources to Hear the Pronunciation:

Important Note: Some older pronunciations or variations do exist, but the /ʃeɪm/ pronunciation is overwhelmingly the most common and widely understood today.

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation aloud?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "shame"?

Usage and examples with the word shame in English

Let's break down how to use the word "shame" effectively in English. It's a surprisingly nuanced word with multiple meanings and uses. Here's a detailed explanation, categorized for clarity:

1. Shame as a Feeling (The Core Meaning)

  • Definition: This is the most common understanding. Shame is a painful emotion that arises when you feel you’ve done something wrong, failed to meet a moral standard, or are viewed negatively by others. It's often linked to feelings of embarrassment, guilt, and worthlessness.
  • Examples:
    • "I felt a deep sense of shame after admitting I hadn't finished my homework."
    • "He was filled with shame for betraying his friend’s trust."
    • “She carried a hidden shame about her past.”
  • Key Characteristics: This type of shame is internal. It’s about your perception of yourself and how you think you’ve behaved.

2. Shame as a Social Feeling – Being Made to Feel Shame

  • Definition: This refers to the feeling evoked by others when they express disapproval or condemnation of your actions or character. It's about being judged and feeling rejected.
  • Examples:
    • "The crowd's laughter filled her with shame." (She felt shamed by the reaction of the crowd.)
    • “He was publicly criticized and felt immense shame.”
    • "Don't let their words make you feel shame – you did what you thought was right."
  • Key Characteristics: This is the shame that comes from external judgment. It's about how others view you.

3. Shame as a Social Norm/Custom (Less Common)

  • Definition: In some cultures (historically and still in some communities), "shame" can be used to maintain social order. It’s about upholding group values and preventing behaviors that are considered unacceptable. This type of shame is often enforced by social pressure.
  • Example:
    • “The village elders warned him with a look of shame, reminding him of the importance of respecting traditions.” (Here, it’s not just about the individual feeling bad; it's about the entire community disapproving.)
  • Caution: This usage is less common in modern English and can sometimes be viewed as judgmental or culturally imposing.

4. "Shame on you" – A Direct Expression of Disapproval

  • Definition: This is a phrase used to express strong disapproval or condemnation, implying that the person being addressed has done something morally wrong. It's a pointed and often confrontational statement.
  • Examples:
    • " Shame on you for lying to your family!"
    • “ Shame on you for treating others with such disrespect.”
  • Important Note: This phrase can be very hurtful and is often considered overly aggressive. Use it with caution, and only when truly warranted. It's usually better to express your concerns constructively.

5. "Shameful" as an Adjective

  • Definition: Used to describe something that is deserving of shame; morally wrong and regrettable.
  • Examples:
    • “It was a shameful display of greed.”
    • “The newspaper reported a shameful scandal involving the local council.”

Key Differences to Remember:

Feature Shame (Feeling) Shame (Social)
Source Internal External (others)
Focus Self-perception External judgment
Emotion Pain, guilt, worthlessness Disapproval, rejection

Tips for Using “Shame” Effectively:

  • Be specific: Instead of saying “I felt shame,” try to describe what you felt ashamed of.
  • Consider the context: Think about whether you're talking about your own feelings or someone else’s reaction.
  • Use with care: “Shame on you” can be harsh. Often, a more empathetic approach is better.

Resources for Further Exploration:

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more examples of how to use "shame" in a sentence?
  • Explain how "shame" differs from related emotions like guilt or embarrassment?
  • Focus on a specific context, like using "shame" in creative writing?

Synonyms for the word shame

Idioms of the word shame

put somebody/something to shame
to be much better than somebody/something
  • Their presentation put ours to shame.
  • Her energy and enthusiasm puts the rest of us to shame (= makes us feel embarrassed and guilty that we are not the same).
shame on you, him, etc.
(informal)used to say that somebody should feel ashamed for something they have said or done
  • Shame on you for doubting me!

Practice with vocabulary shame

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company felt deep ______ after the product recall, which severely damaged its reputation and consumer trust.
  2. She experienced a strong sense of ______ for lying to her parents, even though they never found out the truth.
  3. It's a ______ that such a talented artist never received proper recognition during their lifetime.
  4. Despite his best efforts, the startup failed, leaving him with a feeling of profound ______.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following emotions might someone experience after making a significant professional error that negatively impacts their entire team? a) Joy b) Guilt c) Embarrassment d) Shame

  2. It's a real ______ that the budget cuts will force the closure of the valuable community center. a) pity b) shame c) disgrace d) sorrow

  3. The athlete felt immense ______ when caught cheating, facing public condemnation and the loss of their Olympic medal. a) pride b) jubilation c) shame d) honor

  4. When I accidentally tripped and spilled coffee on my boss's new white shirt, I felt a rush of ______. a) elation b) embarrassment c) indignation d) contempt

  5. The politician's unethical actions were widely condemned as a ______ to the esteemed office they held. a) credit b) compliment c) disgrace d) commendation

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: He felt a profound sense of self-reproach after letting his team down during the crucial negotiation. Rewrite the sentence using a form of "shame".

  2. Original: It's truly unfortunate that the highly anticipated research project was canceled despite all the effort invested. Rewrite the sentence using "shame".

  3. Original: The leaked private emails caused considerable public humiliation for the CEO and the entire company. Rewrite the sentence without using "shame" or its derivatives.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. shame
  2. guilt
  3. shame
  4. disappointment

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Guilt, c) Embarrassment, d) Shame
  2. a) pity, b) shame
  3. c) shame
  4. b) embarrassment
  5. c) disgrace

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. He was deeply ashamed after letting his team down during the crucial negotiation. (Alternatively: He felt profound shame after letting his team down...)
  2. It's a real shame that the highly anticipated research project was canceled despite all the effort invested. (Alternatively: What a shame that the highly anticipated research project was canceled...)
  3. The leaked private emails caused considerable public disgrace for the CEO and the entire company. (Alternatively: The leaked private emails caused the CEO and the entire company immense public embarrassment.)

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