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

Flying from Lagos to London for her first family vacation was an eye-opening experience for a young Thelma West—and not just because of the culture shock. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 26 July 2025

In an exclusive clip shared with Billboard from the singer’s conversation with CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir, Eilish opens up about the culture shock of going from growing up in an eco-conscious household to becoming famous in an industry marked by overabundance and excess. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 15 July 2025

The culture shock of moving from LA to Peoria Huus was born and raised in LA. —Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 13 July 2025

The same General Electric that rose to giant status decades ago through aggressive acquisitions later had to divest from many of those brands, for several reasons, including culture shock. —Ashutosh Labroo, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

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