shames: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Literary, Critical
Quick answer
What does “shames” mean?
The third-person singular present tense of the verb 'shame', meaning to cause someone to feel shame, guilt, or disgrace.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The third-person singular present tense of the verb 'shame', meaning to cause someone to feel shame, guilt, or disgrace; or the plural noun form of 'shame', meaning feelings or instances of dishonor.
As a verb: to publicly expose or criticize someone, making them feel inadequate. As a noun: multiple instances or types of dishonorable feelings or situations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and grammar are identical.
Connotations
Both varieties carry the same strong negative moral/social judgment.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English in formal or literary contexts, but the difference is minimal.
Grammar
How to Use “shames” in a Sentence
Subject + shames + Object (+ into + -ing)Subject + shames + Object + for + NP/-ingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shames” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The documentary powerfully shames the government for its inaction.
- Her honest confession shames those who remained silent.
American English
- The article shames the corporation into changing its policy.
- His bravery shames the rest of us for our complacency.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in ethics discussions: 'The report shames companies for poor environmental practices.'
Academic
Used in sociology, history, and ethics: 'The colonial history shames the nation.' 'Collective shames influence social policy.'
Everyday
Used in serious discussion: 'It shames me to admit I forgot.' 'We must confront our past shames.'
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields outside of specialized psychological or sociological discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shames”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shames”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shames”
- Using 'shames' as a singular noun (incorrect: 'a great shames'; correct: 'a great shame').
- Confusing 'shames' (verb) with 'ashamed' (adjective).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'shames' as a noun is exclusively the plural form. The singular is always 'shame'.
Extremely rarely. It almost always carries a negative connotation of causing disgrace or feeling dishonor.
'Shames' is the correct third-person verb. 'Ashames' is archaic and not used in modern English.
No, both the plural noun and the third-person singular verb 'shames' are pronounced identically: /ʃeɪmz/.
The third-person singular present tense of the verb 'shame', meaning to cause someone to feel shame, guilt, or disgrace.
Shames is usually formal, literary, critical in register.
Shames: in British English it is pronounced /ʃeɪmz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃeɪmz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “name and shame”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SHAMES' sounds like 'blames' with an 'SH' - when someone shames you, they are blaming you publicly.
Conceptual Metaphor
SHAME IS A BURDEN (carry shames), SHAME IS A STAIN (the shames of the past), TO SHAME IS TO FORCE DOWN (shames into submission).
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'The book recounts the family's many shames,' what part of speech is 'shames'?