culture shock

noun

: a sense of confusion and uncertainty sometimes with feelings of anxiety that may affect people exposed to an unfamiliar 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

Moving to a big city, California’s state capitol, was a huge culture shock, Tran says. — Kiara Adams, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2026

And count Richards among those who find Balogun's culture shock to be a hilarious distraction during the down time on international breaks and this World Cup cycle. — ABC News, 29 June 2026

And despite the serious culture shock, this fish out of water comes to believe rural Edgewater has something to offer her. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 June 2026

Another culture shock that the cheerleader experienced was driving on the opposite side of the road from her native hometown. — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for culture shock

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

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