B2verbemotions
US/ˈmɔːr.tə.faɪ/
UK/ˈmɔː.tɪ.faɪ/
to make someone feel extremely embarrassed or ashamed
In context
I was mortified when I realised I had sent the message to my boss.
It still mortifies me to think how rude I was to her.
Her parents mortified her by dancing at the school party.
Words that go with mortify
adverb + adjective
- absolutely mortifiedI was absolutely mortified when my phone rang during the exam.
- utterly mortifiedShe was utterly mortified by the spelling mistake on the poster.
- completely mortifiedHe felt completely mortified after falling off the stage.
- deeply mortifiedThe hotel said it was deeply mortified by the error.
adjective + preposition
- mortified byHe was mortified by his own behaviour at the party.
- mortified toI was mortified to discover that I had food on my face.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I was so mortifying when I forgot her name.Correct: I was so mortified when I forgot her name.