Cringe vs. Cringey — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Munazza Shafiq — Updated on April 18, 2024
Cringe is often mistakenly used when people mean cringey. Cringe refers to the act of recoiling in discomfort, while cringey describes something that causes one to cringe.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Cringe or Cringey
How to spell Cringey?
Cringe
Incorrect Spelling
Cringey
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Notice the similarity in function between "cringey" and other adjectives ending in "y" (e.g., cheesy, messy), which describe the nature of something.
Remember, "cringe" is what you do; "cringey" is what something is.
Use the mnemonic: "If it makes you cringe, it's cringey."
Recall that "cringe" is a verb that refers to the action of recoiling, and "cringey" is an adjective describing things that cause this reaction.
Think of "cringey" as an extension of "cringe," with the "y" making it an adjective.
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How Do You Spell Cringey Correctly?
Incorrect: His attempts to be cool were just cringe.
Correct: His attempts to be cool were just cringey.
Incorrect: That joke she told was really cringe.
Correct: That joke she told was really cringey.
Incorrect: The movie was so cringe I couldn't watch.
Correct: The movie was so cringey I couldn't watch.
Incorrect: Their performance was total cringe.
Correct: Their performance was totally cringey.
Incorrect: I felt cringe during the awkward silence.
Correct: I felt cringey during the awkward silence.
Cringey Definitions
Pertaining to something excessively awkward or embarrassing.
That cringey moment when you wave back at someone who wasn't waving at you.
Related to being painfully awkward or uncomfortable to watch.
The actor's cringey attempt at a British accent was hard to sit through.
Invoking a strong sense of secondhand embarrassment.
Watching the novice comedian struggle through his set was deeply cringey.
Causing feelings of embarrassment or awkwardness.
His speech was so cringey, everyone in the room felt uncomfortable.
Describing an action or situation that makes you recoil in discomfort or embarrassment.
She avoided watching cringey videos because they made her feel awkward.
Cringey Meaning in a Sentence
The dialogue in the play was so cringey.
That was a cringey attempt at dancing.
Her cringey TikTok went viral for all the wrong reasons.
They shared a cringey handshake that neither could coordinate.
He made some cringey comments during the meeting.
It's so cringey when he tries to use teen slang.
The movie's cringey humor didn't appeal to adults.
I cringe whenever I see that cringey commercial.
The guest's cringey speech made the host regret inviting him.
I found the entire situation quite cringey.
That was a cringey way to start the presentation.
That cringey scene made me want to leave the theater.
It was a cringey fall, but luckily, she wasn't hurt.
He gave a cringey wink that did not go unnoticed.
Everyone remembered the cringey incident at last year's party.
He wears outfits that some might find cringey.
Reading old diary entries can be quite cringey.
The cringey dialogue in the video game was laughable.
Their cringey banter was supposed to be funny, but it wasn't.
His attempt to flirt was unintentionally cringey.
The cringey moment passed, but the memory lingered.
I have a hard time watching cringey auditions on talent shows.
They tried to make the event fun, but it was just cringey.
Her cringey reply made everyone in the room uncomfortable.
The cringey effects in the old movie were hard to watch.
Cringey Idioms & Phrases
Avoid cringey situations
To steer clear of circumstances that could become awkward.
He tries to avoid cringey situations by keeping his speeches short.
That's so cringey
An expression used to describe something very awkward or embarrassing.
That's so cringey, she whispered as he tried to sing along badly.
Make it cringey
To do something in a way that becomes awkward or embarrassing.
He has a knack for making any topic cringey with his odd comments.
Less cringey
Comparatively less awkward or embarrassing.
The revised script is less cringey than the original.
Cringey experience
An awkward or embarrassing event.
It was a cringey experience that I hope to forget soon.
Feeling cringey
Experiencing discomfort from something awkward or embarrassing.
I felt cringey watching the comedian bomb on stage.
Cringey content
Media or material that evokes a sense of embarrassment.
This show is known for its cringey content that somehow attracts viewers.
Cringey attempt
Trying to do something that ends up being awkward.
His cringey attempt at humor fell flat.
Cringey moment
A particularly embarrassing or awkward moment.
The party was full of cringey moments that made me want to leave early.
Cringey to watch
Difficult to see or endure due to awkwardness.
The debate was cringey to watch with all the missed points.
Cringey behavior
Actions that are awkward or embarrassing.
His cringey behavior at the party was talked about for days.
It got cringey
Describing a situation that turned awkward.
The meeting got cringey when the topic of salaries came up.
Cringey factor
The level or degree of how cringeworthy something is.
The cringey factor of the movie was off the charts.
Pure cringey
Something that is entirely or purely awkward.
The way he tried to explain himself was pure cringey.
Go cringey
To suddenly become awkward in a situation.
The conversation went cringey when he brought up politics.
Cringey dialogue
Conversation that is uncomfortable or awkward to hear.
The cringey dialogue made the film hard to enjoy.
Super cringey
Extremely awkward or embarrassing.
That was super cringey, I can't believe he said that.
Cringey vibes
The overall feeling of awkwardness emitted by someone or something.
The room had some cringey vibes after that weird presentation.
Cringey mistake
An error that causes embarrassment.
His cringey mistake during the speech was hard to overlook.
Cringey joke
A joke that fails to be funny and instead causes discomfort.
His cringey joke did not get the laughter he hoped for.
Common Curiosities
What is a stressed syllable in cringey?
The first syllable is stressed in the word cringey.
How is cringey used in a sentence?
Cringey is used to describe something that causes a feeling of embarrassment or discomfort.
What is the root word of cringey?
The root word of cringey is "cringe."
Why is it called cringey?
Cringey comes from the verb "cringe," which means to recoil in discomfort, combined with the suffix "y" to form an adjective.
How do we divide cringey into syllables?
Cringey is divided into syllables as: cring-ey.
How many syllables are in cringey?
Cringey has two syllables.
What part of speech is cringey?
Cringey is an adjective.
What is the pronunciation of cringey?
Cringey is pronounced as /ˈkrɪndʒi/.
What is the opposite of cringey?
The opposite of cringey could be cool or smooth, referring to something that is impressively composed and not embarrassing.
Is cringey a noun or adjective?
Cringey is an adjective.
What is the verb form of cringey?
Cringey does not have a verb form; it is an adjective. The verb form of its root word is "cringe."
What is the singular form of cringey?
The singular form is cringey.
What is the plural form of cringey?
The plural form is also cringey, used to describe multiple instances or items.
Is cringey a collective noun?
No, cringey is not a collective noun.
Which determiner is used with cringey?
Determiners such as "very," "quite," or "extremely" are often used with cringey to intensify the description.
What is another term for cringey?
Another term for cringey is awkward.
Is cringey an abstract noun?
No, cringey is not a noun; it is an adjective.
Is cringey a negative or positive word?
Cringey is generally considered a negative word as it describes something unpleasantly awkward.
Is cringey a vowel or consonant?
The word cringey starts with a consonant.
Is the word cringey imperative?
No, cringey is not used in an imperative form as it is an adjective.
Is the word “cringey” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Cringey, being an adjective, does not serve as a direct or indirect object.
Which preposition is used with cringey?
Common prepositions used with cringey include "in," "of," and "about."
Is cringey a countable noun?
Cringey is not a noun; it is an adjective.
Is the word cringey Gerund?
No, cringey cannot be a gerund as it is not derived from a verb.
Which conjunction is used with cringey?
Conjunctions like "and," "or," and "but" are used with cringey in compound sentences.
Which article is used with cringey?
The indefinite article "a" is often used with cringey when referring to an instance of being awkward.
Is cringey an adverb?
No, cringey is not an adverb.
Is the cringey term a metaphor?
Cringey can be used metaphorically to describe situations or behaviors that are notably awkward.
Which vowel is used before cringey?
A vowel is not typically used before "cringey"; however, adverbs like "very" or "so" can precede it.
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Written by
Munazza Shafiq
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
