Cringe: meaning, definitions and examples
😬
cringe
[ krɪn(d)ʒ ]
social media
To experience an uncomfortable feeling of embarrassment or awkwardness. It is often used to describe content that is awkward or embarrassing to watch.
Synonyms
flinch, shudder, squeamish, wince
Examples of usage
- I cringe every time I see that video on TikTok.
- Her awkward dance moves made me cringe.
internet slang
A feeling of embarrassment or discomfort caused by someone else's actions or words.
Synonyms
awkwardness, discomfort, embarrassment, unease
Examples of usage
- The video was full of cringe.
- I couldn't handle the cringe during the presentation.
Translations
Translations of the word "cringe" in other languages:
🇵🇹 vergonha alheia
🇮🇳 शर्मनाक
🇩🇪 Fremdscham
🇮🇩 malu
🇺🇦 незручність
🇵🇱 żenada
🇯🇵 恥ずかしい
🇫🇷 gêne
🇪🇸 vergüenza ajena
🇹🇷 utanç verici
🇰🇷 민망함
🇸🇦 إحراج
🇨🇿 trapné
🇸🇰 trápnosť
🇨🇳 尴尬
🇸🇮 neprijetnost
🇮🇸 vandræða
🇰🇿 ұят
🇬🇪 უხერხულობა
🇦🇿 utancaq
🇲🇽 vergüenza ajena
Word origin
The word 'cringe' originated from the Old English verb 'cringan', meaning 'to yield or give way in servile fear'. Over time, it evolved to its current usage in the early 21st century, where it is commonly used in social media and internet culture to describe feelings of discomfort or embarrassment.
See also: cringeworthy.