Cringe
So awkward, embarrassing, forced, or uncomfortable that it makes someone recoil.
“The obviously scripted apology video felt incredibly cringe.”
Cringe can describe a person, joke, performance, post, trend, or moment that causes secondhand embarrassment. It may be used seriously, playfully, or as a harsh dismissal of someone's sincere interests.
Cringe is an old English verb meaning to recoil or shrink back. Its adjective use meaning embarrassing or awkward was documented before internet culture, but online communities made short judgments such as 'that's cringe' especially common.
cringey
An adjective meaning embarrassing, awkward, uncomfortable, or likely to cause secondhand embarrassment.
cringe compilation
A collection of videos, posts, or moments selected because viewers consider them embarrassing or awkward.
based or cringe
A meme-style contrast asking whether something deserves approval or embarrassment.
What does cringe mean in slang?
Cringe describes something so awkward, embarrassing, forced, or uncomfortable that it causes secondhand embarrassment.
Is cringey a real word?
Yes. Cringey, also spelled cringy or cringe-y, is an established informal adjective meaning cringeworthy.
Can calling someone cringe be hurtful?
Yes. It can dismiss someone's personality, interests, appearance, or sincere enthusiasm and may be insulting depending on context.