different between shameless vs scandalous

English

Etymology

From Middle English shameles, shamelees, schameles, schomeles, schomeleas, from Old English s?aml?as, s?eaml?as (“without shame; shameless”), from Proto-Germanic *skamalausaz (“shameless”), equivalent to shame +? -less. Cognate with West Frisian skamteleas (“shameless”), Dutch schaamteloos (“shameless”), German schamlos (“shameless”), Danish skamløs (“shameless”), Swedish skamlös (“shameless”), Icelandic skammlaus (“shameless; unashamed”).

Adjective

shameless (comparative more shameless, superlative most shameless)

1. Having no shame, no guilt nor remorse over something considered wrong; immodest; unable to feel disgrace.

Derived terms

• shamelessly
• shamelessness

Translations

English

Etymology

From Medieval Latin scandalosus, via French scandaleuse; as if scandal + -ous.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /?skænd?l?s/

Adjective

scandalous (comparative more scandalous, superlative most scandalous)

1. Wrong, immoral, causing a scandal
   • 1884, Mark Twain, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

     The thing made a big stir in the town, too, and a good many come out flatfooted and said it was scandalous to separate the mother and the children that way.

2. Malicious, defamatory.
   • 1592, Thomas Kyd, The Spanish Tragedie

     These be the scandalous reports of such / As loves not me, and hate my lord too much.

   • 1887, Marie Corelli, Thelma

     I always disregard gossip--it is generally scandalous, and seldom true.
3. Outrageous; exceeding reasonable limits.

Derived terms

• scandalously
• scandalousness

Translations