How to spell embarrass
A Year 5 and 6 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
embarrass
E-M-B-A-R-R-A-S-S
The part to watch: a double r and a double s. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Embarrass has two doubles: rr and ss. People usually keep one and drop the other.
Embarrass is one of the words on the Year 5 and 6 list with a double letter. A consonant is doubled somewhere in the word, and that is the part that goes wrong. Say the word slowly and count the doubles before you write it.
Common mistakes with embarrass
- Wrong: embarassRight: embarrass
- Wrong: embarrasRight: embarrass
A way to remember it
You go really red and smile shyly when you are embarrassed: two r letters, two s letters.
Embarrass in syllables
em · bar · rass
Embarrass has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
Please do not embarrass me in front of my friends.
Embarrass on the statutory list
Embarrass is on the Year 5 and 6 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 5 and 6, when they are 9 to 11.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with embarrass, then nine more words from the Year 5 and 6 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a double letter
These words from the Year 5 and 6 list share the same pattern as embarrass.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell embarrassed and embarrassment?
Both keep the double r and the double s of embarrass: embarrassed, embarrassing, embarrassment.
Spelling is one part of the picture
The free diagnostic checks maths, English and both kinds of reasoning, and shows what to practise next. No card is required.