Definition
A feeling of embarrassment, discomfort, or secondhand shame, either at something awkward one has witnessed or experienced. As slang, 'cringe' describes content or behavior that provokes this uncomfortable response.
Example Usage
That video was so cringe—I had to look away when he tripped on stage.
Origin
From Middle English 'crengen,' related to Old English 'crincan' (to bend or yield); the modern slang usage became prominent in the 2010s.
Fun Fact
The rise of 'cringe culture' and 'cringe-shaming' on social media has led to discussions about empathy and how the internet processes awkwardness.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
Related Terms
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See “Cringe” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
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