vicarious-embarrassment
/vɪˈkeə.ri.əs ɪmˈbær.əs.mənt/ IELTSAcademic
noun
Embarrassment you feel for someone else, even though you are not the one in the awkward situation. It often happens when you watch someone make a social mistake.
- I felt vicarious embarrassment for him.
- Her speech caused me vicarious embarrassment.
- We watched in vicarious embarrassment.
Adinary Nuance
Vicarious embarrassment is not the same as embarrassment, because you feel it for another person, not for yourself. It is close to second-hand embarrassment and cringe, but vicarious embarrassment sounds more neutral and precise. Writers often use it when they want a clear, descriptive phrase rather than slang.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- Xấu hổ hộ
- Spanish
- Vergüenza ajena
- Chinese
- 替人尴尬
- Japanese
- 共感羞恥
- Korean
- 대리 수치심
Etymology
Vicarious comes from Latin vicarious, meaning 'taking another's place'. Embarrassment came into English from French in the 17th century.
Common phrases
feel vicarious embarrassmentsecond-hand embarrassmenta moment of vicarious embarrassment
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is vicarious embarrassment formal or informal?
- It is fairly neutral and slightly formal. People also use the more casual phrase 'second-hand embarrassment'.
- What is the difference between vicarious embarrassment and embarrassment?
- Embarrassment is about your own awkward feelings. Vicarious embarrassment is when you feel awkward for someone else.
- Can I use vicarious embarrassment in academic writing?
- Yes, especially in psychology, media studies, or writing about social behaviour.
- Is cringe the same as vicarious embarrassment?
- Not exactly. Cringe is more casual and can mean the feeling or the thing that causes it.