Unabashed
Meaning
Not embarrassed, ashamed, or hesitant to do something or express an opinion.
Origin
Long before the swagger of modern confidence, there was the deep flush of 'abashment.' This feeling, a potent mix of shame and confusion, arrived in English from Old French 'esbahir,' meaning to astonish or confound, back in the Middle Ages. To be 'abashed' meant to be thrown off balance, humbled by an awkward social moment. Then, with the elegant simplicity of a single prefix, the word 'unabashed' emerged in the late 16th century. It wasn't about shaking off shame, but rather never feeling it to begin with. This new word described a person who faced the world with an open heart and an unblushing spirit, daring to be themselves without a hint of hesitation or regret.
Examples
- She was unabashed in her enthusiasm for the new project, sharing her ideas freely with everyone.
- He delivered his criticism with an unabashed directness that left no room for misinterpretation.