When you're embarrassed, you feel awkward, self-conscious, or uncomfortable because something has drawn unwanted attention to you or made you look foolish. That hot, face-flushing feeling when you trip in the cafeteria and everyone turns to look? That's embarrassment. The squirmy sensation when your dad tells a corny joke in front of your friends, or when the teacher calls on you and you realize you weren't paying attention? Also embarrassment.

Embarrassment usually happens suddenly. You might feel embarrassed when you walk into class with your shirt inside out, or when you confidently shout out an answer that turns out to be completely wrong. Sometimes you feel embarrassed for someone else, like when a performer forgets their lines during the school play.

The physical signs are hard to hide: your face gets hot and red, you might want to cover your face with your hands, or you wish you could disappear into the floor. Your body is basically advertising your discomfort to everyone around you, which can make the embarrassment even worse.

Everyone gets embarrassed sometimes. That kid who seems totally confident? They've had embarrassing moments too. The feeling passes, usually much faster than it seems like it will in the moment. What feels mortifying on Tuesday is often just a funny story by Friday.