unashamed
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌnəʃˈeɪmd/
US
- /ˌənəˈʃeɪmd/
Description
- Not embarrassed or sorry
- Bold
- Open
- Defiant
- Without guilt
To be unashamed means you are not embarrassed, guilty, or sorry about something, even if other people judge you for it. Sometimes the word feels positive. A person may be proud of who they are, open about their past, or firm in what they believe. A child showing a messy painting with a big smile can seem completely unashamed.
But the word is not always warm or admirable. It can also describe someone who shows no regret for rude, selfish, or wrong behavior. If a person lies and then talks about it with no sign of guilt, they may be described as unashamed. In that way, the word can suggest either confident honesty or a troubling lack of shame.
"Unashamed" describes someone who feels no embarrassment, guilt, or regret about something. Very often, it appears in situations where a person is open about their actions, tastes, identity, or opinions and does not try to hide. For example, someone might be unashamed of their accent, unashamed of loving old pop songs, or unashamed about speaking openly about a hard part of their past.
In these cases, the word can sound positive. It may suggest confidence, honesty, self-acceptance, or courage under criticism. A person who is unashamedly themselves is not changing just to please the crowd. They are willing to be seen clearly, even if others disagree or laugh.
At the same time, the word can also be critical. It is often used for people who show no shame when shame might be expected. An unashamed cheat, liar, or bully is someone who does wrong and does not seem sorry about it. In this sense, the word can carry a sharp tone, pointing to shameless behavior or a lack of moral feeling.
Because of that, context matters. "Unashamed" can describe healthy confidence, open self-expression, and emotional honesty, but it can also describe hard, careless, or offensive behavior without regret. The core idea stays the same in both cases: the person is not hiding and does not feel ashamed.
Examples
- 1
Accent
She's unashamed of her accent and never tries to hide it.
- 2
Asking for help
He was unashamed to admit that he needed help.
Meaning
to admit
to say something is true
- 3
Personal taste
My brother is an unashamed fan of cheesy romantic comedies.
Meaning
cheesy
silly in an enjoyable way
- 4
Book praise
The book is an unashamed celebration of small-town life.
- 5
Politics
In the interview, the politician was unashamed about changing his position when public opinion shifted.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- unashamedadjective