What does embarras mean?
An embarras is an awkward predicament — a situation in which someone is hampered, constrained, or placed at a loss for how to proceed. The word is a direct borrowing from French, where it derives from 'embarrer', literally to encumber with bars. Although it entered English centuries ago and once appeared more freely as a standalone term, today it survives almost exclusively inside two imported French phrases: 'embarras de richesses', describing the dilemma of having too many good options, and 'embarras de choix', which means much the same thing. In these uses the word carries a light, often wry connotation — the difficulty in question arises from abundance rather than hardship. Writers reach for it when they want a touch of Gallic elegance or gentle irony, as in complaining about too many invitations or an overflowing menu. Outside such set phrases, plain English alternatives like 'predicament' or 'quandary' are usually the safer choice, since using 'embarras' alone can read as pretentious to general readers.
nounAn embarrassing or awkward predicament; a state of perplexity or constraint. In modern use it survives chiefly in the borrowed French phrase 'embarras de richesses', denoting a superabundance that creates difficulty in choosing among options.
- An awkward predicament or state of being hampered or constrained.
- (In the phrase 'embarras de richesses') A superabundance of options or resources that makes choice difficult.
"Faced with three job offers in one week, she found herself in a pleasant embarras."
"The negotiators worked late into the night to extricate themselves from the diplomatic embarras."
"With a dozen desserts on offer, his complaint was pure embarras de richesses."
Pluralization is rare since the word normally occurs in singular fixed phrases; some writers leave it undeclined as a foreign borrowing.
"Diplomats of that era seemed to lurch from one embarras to another."
English stole this word whole from French — and mostly kept only its most famous phrase, 'embarras de richesses', literally an embarrassment caused by having too much wealth.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of embarras
The word comes from French 'embarras', a noun formed from the verb 'embarrer', meaning to bar, block, or encumber — literally to trap behind bars ('barre'). It passed into English in the 17th century, when French vocabulary flowed freely into literary English. Its relatives include 'embarrass' and 'barrier', all tracing back to that same notion of obstruction by bars. In modern English the standalone noun has largely faded, surviving chiefly through the borrowed phrase 'embarras de richesses'.
How embarras is actually used
A formal, literary loanword from French; on its own it is rare and may strike readers as affected, so it is best reserved for contexts where French phrases are natural. It appears most often within the fixed expressions 'embarras de richesses' and 'embarras de choix'.
Easily confused with embarras
'Embarrassment' is the ordinary everyday English word for self-conscious discomfort or shame, while 'embarras' is a rare literary borrowing from French referring to an awkward predicament or state of being hampered.