cringe

Everyday

1. To feel very embarrassed or uncomfortable about something, often pulling a face or wanting to hide. tree →
2. To move back or bend your body away from something because you are afraid or disgusted. tree →
3. (slang) Embarrassing or awkward, as in «That video is so cringe.» tree →
4. (noun) The feeling or act of cringing: «a cringe of embarrassment». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life children say «cringe» or «cringey» about awkward videos, dad jokes or parents dancing. In stories it tells the reader a character is embarrassed or scared. Phrases: «make someone cringe», «cringe with embarrassment», «cringe at», «so cringe», «cringe-worthy», «the cultural cringe» (Australia, feeling your own culture is not as good).

Examples

• I cringe every time I hear my old recorder playing. tree →
• The dog cringed when the thunder boomed. tree →
• Dad's dancing at the wedding made us all cringe. tree →
• (slang) Ugh, that advert is so cringe. tree →
• (slang) My old photos are well cringey. tree →
• She cringed at the sight of the spider. tree →
• It was a cringe-worthy moment when he forgot his lines. tree →
• He cringed away from the angry goose. tree →
• She was far too pretty to cringe in this way, but Peter thought it his due, and he would answer condescendingly, “It is good. tree →

Note

Past form «cringed», -ing form «cringing» (drop the e). Using «cringe» as an adjective («so cringe») is slang, fine with friends but not in a formal essay; write «embarrassing» there. Spelled «cringey» or «cringy».