Cringe definition: what "Cringe" means and examples

Cringe is one of the most powerful words in a teenager's vocabulary. It describes the physical "shudder" you feel when you see someone doing something socially awkward or trying too hard to be cool. Parents are often the primary source of cringe for their children -whether it’s dancing in public or trying to use this very slang! It’s a way to police social boundaries and "coolness."

Examples:

1. "Oh my god, Dad, please stop singing, it’s so cringe."
2. "That advert is trying way too hard to be trendy; it’s pure cringe."
3. "I felt so much cringe when he forgot his lines on stage."