[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/cringe/)

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# cringe

verb (cringe, cringes, cringed, cringing); noun (a cringe); adjective (slang: cringe, cringey/cringy)

«cringe» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To feel very embarrassed or uncomfortable about something, often pulling a face or wanting to hide. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cringe/#m1)
2. To move back or bend your body away from something because you are afraid or disgusted. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cringe/#m2)
3. (slang) Embarrassing or awkward, as in «That video is so cringe.» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cringe/#m3)
4. (noun) The feeling or act of cringing: «a cringe of embarrassment». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cringe/#m4)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cringe/#x1)
- The dog cringed when the thunder boomed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cringe/#x2)
- Dad's dancing at the wedding made us all cringe. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cringe/#x3)
- (slang) Ugh, that advert is so cringe. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cringe/#x4)
- (slang) My old photos are well cringey. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cringe/#x5)
- She cringed at the sight of the spider. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cringe/#x6)
- It was a cringe-worthy moment when he forgot his lines. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cringe/#x7)
- He cringed away from the angry goose. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cringe/#x8)
- 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cringe/#x9)

### 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».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «cringe» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cringe/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«cringe» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/cringe.html) on Mova free.