shamefaced
Americanadjective
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modest or bashful.
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showing shame.
shamefaced apologies.
adjective
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bashful or modest
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showing a sense of shame
Other Word Forms
- shamefacedly adverb
- shamefacedness noun
Etymology
Origin of shamefaced
1545–55; alteration of shamefast by folk etymology; shame, faced
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The fallout, so far, has included shamefaced admissions and apologies from judges; a promise of improvement from the Administrative Office of the U.S.
From Washington Post • Oct. 5, 2021
I received the same shamefaced response when I called the other two physicians in the Senate—Rand Paul of Kentucky and John Barrasso of Wyoming.
From Slate • Nov. 29, 2017
He spoke of being both "flattered" and "shamefaced" about often being mentioned alongside Mr. Burton because of their geographical connection.
From New York Times • Oct. 17, 2012
He, at least, had had the grace to be shamefaced.
From The New Yorker • Dec. 12, 2011
Fingers smarting, the shamefaced Taran hurried from the cottage and found Coll near the vegetable garden.
From "The Book of Three" by Lloyd Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
