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cringe
/krɪndʒ/
feeling embarrassed or awkward
The actor's over-the-top performance made me cringe.
The exaggerated acting caused embarrassment or discomfort.
informalslang
to feel embarrassed or awkward, often due to something awkward or inappropriate
I cringed when my friend told that embarrassing story in public.
I felt embarrassed when my friend shared an awkward story publicly.
Commonly used in internet and social media contexts to describe awkward or embarrassing situations.
informalslang
something that is awkward, embarrassing, or overly dramatic
That TikTok trend is so cringe.
That TikTok trend is awkward or embarrassing.
Often used to describe content or behavior that is socially awkward or uncomfortable.
Collocations
cringe-worthydescribing something that causes embarrassment or discomfort
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Context Matters
Use 'cringe' to describe situations or content that make you feel embarrassed or awkward, not physical discomfort.
Gold Rule
Informal Usage
'Cringe' is informal slang and should not be used in formal or professional settings.
Word Origin
Originated from the verb 'cringe' (to shrink back in fear or disgust) but gained modern slang meaning in the early 2000s, popularized by internet culture.
Usage Notes
Primarily used in informal contexts, especially online, to describe awkward or embarrassing situations or content.
English Dictionary