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

Vivacious and prone to daydreaming, Julián experiences a culture shock under Carmela’s roof — there’s impressive attention to detail in the production design inside her home, down to the magnets on her refrigerator. — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Jake Furlong After being traded to the Hawks from the San Jose Sharks in January and joining the IceHogs, the 22-year-old defenseman experienced a culture shock — in a good way. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026

There was a requisite culture shock, missing friends and family, and impostor syndrome. — Jeff Weiss, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026

But transitioning from American to French basketball was a culture shock. — Eden Laase, New York Times, 4 Sep. 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