shameless

/ˈʃeɪmləs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈʃeɪmləs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈshām-ləs/ (ame, mw)

shameless — adjective

  • shamelesspositive
  • more shamelesscomparative
  • most shamelesssuperlative

1. behaving in a way that other people find wrong or shocking, without feeling any

1.形容詞B2
釋義

behaving in a way that other people find wrong or shocking, without feeling any embarrassment or guilt about it

例句

The politician's shameless lie surprised even his closest friends.

collocation: shameless lie

It was a shameless attempt to claim money that belonged to the charity.

collocation: shameless attempt

同義詞
  • brazen

    stronger emphasis on open, bold defiance of what others think

  • blatant

    focuses on how obvious and easy to see the wrongdoing is

  • unashamed

    neutral or even positive tone; suggests confidence rather than wrongdoing

反義詞
  • ashamed

    feeling embarrassment or guilt about something one has done

  • embarrassed

    less intense than ashamed, focusing on social awkwardness

文法句型

shameless + noun

用法筆記

Unlike unashamed, which can be neutral or even positive (unashamed pride), this sense always carries strong disapproval from the speaker's point of view.

常見錯誤

❌He was shameless of his actions.
✅He was shameless about his actions.
💡the correct preposition is 'about', not 'of'.
❌It was a shameful lie' (when meaning the liar felt no shame).
✅It was a shameless lie.
💡'shameful' means the lie causes shame; 'shameless' means the liar feels no shame.

2. acting or dressing in a way that is clearly meant to attract sexual attention, w

2.形容詞B2
釋義

acting or dressing in a way that is clearly meant to attract sexual attention, without any feeling of embarrassment about it

例句

Zola gave her a shameless smile from across the crowded room.

collocation: shameless smile / shameless look

The magazine was criticised for printing shameless photos of the young actress.

同義詞
  • brazen

    can overlap but also covers non-sexual boldness; wider in meaning

  • provocative

    focuses on the intention to excite or arouse, not just on lack of shame

反義詞
  • modest

    dressing or behaving in a way that avoids attracting sexual attention

  • demure

    quiet, shy, and modest in a traditionally feminine way

文法句型

shameless + noun

用法筆記

Usually describes someone's look, clothing, or remark rather than a lasting personality trait. Less common than sense 1 in everyday conversation.

常見錯誤

❌She is such a shameless person' (vague, unclear which sense).
✅She gave him a shameless look.
💡prefers a specific behaviour or expression over describing the person directly.