Cringe is a Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang word meaning “Awkward, embarrassing, or trying too hard”. Here’s the full Cringe meaning explained, with examples, origin, and how to say it in 10+ languages.
What is Cringe? Cringe Meaning Explained
Awkward, embarrassing, or trying too hard
Cringe is timeless. Still used to roast anything that feels awkward, forced, or out of touch. If someone tries too hard and it flops? Instant cringe.
“Cringe” has been internet currency since the 2010s, used to call out awkward or embarrassing moments — especially online. From Reddit to TikTok, Gen Z and Alpha kept it alive by applying it to every form of flop behavior.
Cringe — Slang Examples in Sentences
“He said ‘how do you do, fellow kids’ — full cringe.”
| Sentence | Translation / Context |
|---|
| “This skit is pure cringe.” | Calling out someone for awkward or outdated behavior. |
| “Cringe behavior in the group chat rn.” | Reacting to someone trying too hard to be cool or relatable. |
| “He said ‘how do you do, fellow kids’ — full cringe.” | Used for over-edited, low-effort, or awkward online content. |
| “I made a cringe edit of us in CapCut 💀” | Describing moments that make others physically wince. |
| “She tried to go viral with that dance? Cringe.” | Common response to flop TikToks, dad jokes, or failed trends. |
Cringe is what you feel when secondhand embarrassment hits hard. It’s used when something is awkward, performative, or totally out of touch — like an adult trying too hard on TikTok, or a friend oversharing online. The vibe is always: “please stop.”
Where Did “Cringe” Come From? Cringe Origin
Cringe began wide-spread usage in the early 2010s
Cringe blew up in the 2010s as YouTube and meme culture grew. It evolved from serious judgment to ironic humor — now it’s a casual roast, a meme label, or even a vibe (see: CringeTok). “Cringe” is both an insult and an aesthetic.
Cringe in Every Language
Learn how to say (or at least explain) Cringe in 9+ languages! Jump to a section from the table above to read about Cringe in every language.
Cringe意味｜Cringeとは？ 🇯🇵
Cringeの意味は？“見ててきつい”投稿や発言に使う定番ワード
Cringe（クリンジ）は、見ていて恥ずかしい、無理してて痛々しい時に使うネットスラング。
Cringe의미｜Cringe이란? 🇰🇷
Cringe 뜻: 민망하거나 너무 어색한 행동을 비웃는 표현
Cringe(크린지)는 민망하거나 오글거릴 때, 부끄러운 행동을 놀릴 때 쓰는 말이에요.
Cringe意思｜Cringe是什么？ 🇨🇳
Cringe 是什么意思？表示“尴尬”或“太做作”的网络用语
Cringe（尬）是形容让人感到尴尬或第二手羞耻的行为或内容。
Cringe Bedeutung｜Was Bedeutet Cringe? 🇩🇪
Was bedeutet Cringe? Ausdruck für Fremdscham oder unangenehme Vibes
Cringe ist ein Begriff für etwas Peinliches oder Übertriebenes — oft im Internet verwendet.
Cringe Significado｜¿Qué Significa Cringe? 🇪🇸
¿Qué significa Cringe? Slang para momentos incómodos o forzados
Cringe se usa para describir cosas que dan vergüenza ajena. Muy usado en redes.
Cringe Significato｜Che Cosa Vuol Dire Cringe? 🇮🇹
Cosa significa Cringe? Termine per momenti goffi o flop
Cringe è uno slang usato per descrivere qualcosa di imbarazzante o forzato, spesso online.
Cringe Signification｜C’est Quoi Cringe? 🇫🇷
Quelle est la signification de Cringe ? Malaise, flop ou comportement gênant
Cringe est un mot pour désigner un comportement gênant ou trop forcé. Très utilisé en ligne.
Cringe значение｜Что такое Cringe? 🇷🇺
Что значит Cringe? Слово для обозначения фейлов или кринжа
Cringe — это сленг для описания чего-то неловкого, переигранного или постыдного.
Cringe ما معنى｜المعنى Cringe؟ 🇸🇦
ما معنى Cringe؟ يُطلق على التصرفات التي تثير الإحراج أو عدم الارتياح
Cringe هو مصطلح يُستخدم للسخرية من التصرفات المحرجة أو الغريبة، خصوصًا على الإنترنت.
Cringe Overview
Cringe is the all-gen roast for anything that tries too hard, fails, or just gives secondhand embarrassment. If something’s a flop, a facepalm, or a forced vibe — it’s cringe. Period.
That’s the full slang guide for Cringe, straight from the Skibidi DB!
Sasha | Gen Z Reporter
Hi, I’m Sasha, a Gen Z reporter and content goblin here at Skibidi Times.
I’m 19 with Italian roots (yes, I’m fluent in both Italian and Italian Brainrot 🇮🇹💅) and I love covering everything from TikTok trends to Gen Alpha drama.
When I’m not online scrolling way too deep, you’ll catch me with Froyo in one hand and a fresh nail set on the other — I’m a certified nail art addict and self-taught specialist in all things cute ✨💅🍦.
