Mortification is intense embarrassment or shame, the feeling of wanting to sink through the floor and disappear. When you trip and spill your lunch tray in a crowded cafeteria, that hot, face-burning sensation is mortification. When you wave enthusiastically at someone you think you know, only to realize it's a complete stranger, that's mortification too.

Mortification feels worse than ordinary embarrassment because it usually happens in front of others and involves your self-image taking a serious hit. You might feel mild embarrassment about mispronouncing a word, but mortification strikes when you confidently correct your teacher, only to discover you're completely wrong.

People often describe mortification in physical terms: “I nearly died of mortification” or “I was mortified.” While mortification feels terrible in the moment, many embarrassing moments eventually become funny stories. That time someone called their teacher “Mom” might cause mortification today, but years from now, it might be something to laugh about. Everyone experiences mortification sometimes because everyone makes mistakes, and that shared human experience can help people develop empathy and resilience.