cringe
/krɪndʒ/To pull your body back slightly because of pain, fear, or embarrassment. You also cringe when something makes you feel deep discomfort or awkwardness, even without moving.
- She cringed when her boss read her message aloud to the whole team.
- I cringe every time I watch that old video of myself.
- He cringed at the memory of what he had said at the party.
Used in informal and internet language to describe something that feels painfully embarrassing or awkward to watch or experience. If something is 'cringe,' it causes strong secondhand embarrassment.
- That apology video was so cringe, I stopped watching halfway.
- His attempt to sound cool in front of teenagers was completely cringe.
- The whole speech felt cringe from start to finish.
A moment, action, or thing that is painfully embarrassing or awkward. Used informally, especially online, to label content that produces strong secondhand embarrassment.
- That reunion scene was pure cringe — I felt bad for everyone.
- His dance at the office party was an absolute cringe.
Adinary Nuance
Traditional dictionaries still list "cringe" mainly as a verb — but in real everyday English today, especially online, "cringe" is widely used as an adjective and noun without any suffix ("that's so cringe," not just "that's cringeworthy"). This adjective form became popular through YouTube, Reddit, and meme culture in the 2010s, where "cringe compilations" — videos of people acting awkwardly — became a huge genre. The shift also gave rise to "cringe culture," a term that now carries baggage: many people criticize it as a form of online mockery that shames people for being earnest or different. So when you call something "cringe," be aware it can sound either casually descriptive or a little mean-spirited, depending on context.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- xấu hổ
- Spanish
- vergüenza ajena
- Chinese
- 尴尬
- Japanese
- 気持ち悪い
- Korean
- 민망함
Etymology
From Old English "cringan" and Middle English "crengen," meaning to yield, fall, or shrink back. The word entered modern English as a verb around the 16th century; its slang adjective and noun senses surged through internet and youth culture in the 2010s.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use 'cringe' as an adjective, like 'that's so cringe'?
- Yes, and this is now very common — especially among younger speakers and in online conversation. 'That's so cringe' is as natural today as 'that's so embarrassing.' It is informal, though, so avoid it in formal writing or professional emails.
- What is the difference between 'cringe,' 'cringey,' and 'cringeworthy'?
- 'Cringe' (adjective) is the newest and most casual form, popular online. 'Cringey' is slightly older slang with the same meaning. 'Cringeworthy' is the most widely accepted form across all ages and is safe in semi-formal contexts. All three mean something that causes embarrassment.
- Is calling something 'cringe' rude?
- It can be. Calling a person's behavior 'cringe' often implies mockery or contempt. Calling a situation 'cringe' is more neutral. 'Cringe culture' — sharing videos to laugh at people — is widely criticized for being unkind, so use the word carefully when people are involved.
- Is 'cringe' formal or informal?
- The verb sense ('she cringed in fear') is neutral and fine in all contexts, including formal writing. The slang adjective and noun senses ('that's cringe,' 'pure cringe') are informal — stick to those in casual speech, texts, and social media only.