B1adjectiveemotionssociety
US/ˈʃeɪm.fəl/
UK/ˈʃeɪm.fəl/
so bad that people should feel ashamed of it
In context
It is shameful that so many children still go hungry.
The manager's shameful behavior was reported in every newspaper.
He felt that lying to his parents was a shameful act.
Words that go with shameful
adjective + noun
- shameful behaviorThe crowd condemned the shameful behavior of the players.
- shameful secretHe kept a shameful secret for twenty years.
- shameful actCheating in the exam was a shameful act.
- shameful pastThe country must face its shameful past.
- shameful recordThe company has a shameful record on safety.
adverb + adjective
- absolutely shamefulThe way they treated the staff was absolutely shameful.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
I feel very shameful about it.Correct: I feel very ashamed about it.