verb

cringe

KRIHNJ

verb

To flinch or shrink back in embarrassment, disgust, or fear.

"I cringed when I saw the old photos of myself from school."

"He cringed at the sound of nails on a chalkboard."

noun

Something embarrassing to watch or witness, especially online.

"The whole video was pure cringe."

adj

Embarrassingly awkward or uncool (informal).

"That dance move was so cringe."

How to Use Cringe

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo physically flinch, or (informally) to feel or cause secondhand embarrassment.

When to use it

The noun and adjective senses ("that's so cringe") are internet slang and very informal.

Common pairings

cringe at something so cringe a cringe moment

Word Forms

more cringe comparative, cringed past tense, cringe plural, cringed plural, cringes plural, cringes singular, cringe singular, cringed singular, cringest singular, cringedst singular, cringeth singular, most cringe superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

I _____ when I saw the old photos of myself from school.

Etymology

From Old English crincgan/crenċan, "to yield or bend," ultimately from a root meaning "to turn" — the same origin as "crinkle."

Rhymes for cringe

Inge singe hinge binge tinge twinge fringe syringe

See all rhymes for cringe →