shamefaced

[ sheym-feyst ]

adjective

1. modest or bashful.
2. showing shame:

   shamefaced apologies.

shamefaced

/ ˈʃeɪmˌfeɪst; ʃeɪmˈfeɪsɪdlɪ; ˈʃeɪmˌfeɪstlɪ /

adjective

1. bashful or modest
2. showing a sense of shame

Derived Forms

• shamefacedly, adverb
• shameˈfacedness, noun

Other Words From

• shame·fac·ed·ly [sheym-, fey, -sid-lee, sheym, -feyst-lee], adverb
• shamefaced·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of shamefaced¹

1545–55; alteration of shamefast by folk etymology; shame, faced

Word History and Origins

Origin of shamefaced¹

C16: alteration of earlier shamefast, from Old English sceamfaest; see shame , fast ¹