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

He was admitted on scholarship and, after the initial culture shock, immersed himself in school life. —Jeremy Barr, Washington Post, 18 July 2024

Then there’s the culture shock – and sometimes, hostility from South Koreans. —Jessie Yeung, CNN, 15 July 2024

While the mechanics are similar, the experience might cause culture shock. —Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 3 July 2024

Navigating a new career and a professional environment Transitioning from an academic environment to the workplace is a culture shock for many grads. —Food Drink Life, Hartford Courant, 28 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

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