culture shock

noun

: a sense of confusion and uncertainty sometimes with feelings of anxiety that may affect people exposed to an alien culture or environment without adequate preparation

Examples of culture shock in a Sentence

Foreign students often experience culture shock when they first come to the U.S.

Moving to the city was a huge culture shock for him.

Recent Examples on the Web

Children learn valuable lessons of gender norms and ideals and familial pressure to conform, an ongoing battle especially for those who encounter culture shock when moving to a new continent. —Natasha Gural, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

The experience was a culture shock, and not just because the young Ms. Mazwai was regarded with suspicion whenever another student misplaced something. —Lynsey Chutel, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025

Courtesy of Jamal Robinson His culture shock has been positive. —Jennifer Liu,lauren Shamo, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2025

When what seems like a stellar business opportunity arises, Pradeep family patriarch Mahesh (Andrews) moves his family from India to America, where culture shock is the least of their problems. —Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, 23 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for culture shock

• electroshock
• aftershock
• antiknock
• arawak
• hollyhock
• interlock
• isopach
• manioc
• shuttlecock
• tomahawk
• weathercock
• alcock

Medical Definition

culture shock

noun

: a sense of confusion and uncertainty sometimes with feelings of anxiety that may affect people exposed to an alien culture or environment without adequate preparation