Skip to main content

cringeto feel embarrassed or uncomfortable because of awkwardness

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable because of awkwardness

Pronunciation (IPA): /krɪndʒ/

Korean meaning: 민망함이나 어색함 때문에 몸을 움츠리다, 창피해하다

Korean pronunciation: **크린**지

Example Sentences

  • I still cringe when I remember singing karaoke in front of my crush
  • The movie was so cringe that half the audience left early
  • My mom's attempt to use teen slang makes me cringe so hard

cringe

VERB

//krɪndʒ//

to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable because of awkwardness

cringe concept
💡 Concept

A student cringes after dropping their lunch tray in the crowded cafeteria

cringe rhyme
🎵 Rhyme

She cringes at the party, hiding behind her fringe, gripping the hinge!

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/krɪndʒ/
🇬🇧 UK/krɪndʒ/

🌳Etymology

Rootcringe

Origin

From Old English 'cringan' meaning 'to bend, bow down, or yield in battle.' The word evolved from describing physical cowering to modern psychological discomfort or embarrassment.

🎵Rhyme

fringehingesinge
fringe
hinge
singe

🔗Collocations

cringe at something
cringe-worthy
secondhand cringe
make someone cringe
cringe factor
cringe in embarrassment

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

I still cringe when I remember singing karaoke in front of my crush

The movie was so cringe that half the audience left early

😄 Fun example

My mom's attempt to use teen slang makes me cringe so hard

He cringed at the memory of his failed job interview

📚Related Words

Synonyms

winceflinchshrinkrecoil

Antonyms

embraceenjoyrelish

Related

embarrassawkwarduncomfortableshame

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.