English · Travel & Places

culture shock

/ˈkʌl.tʃər ʃɒk/

[/ˈkʌl.tʃər ʃɒk/]

unease in new culture

Advancednoun

Definition

The feeling of confusion or anxiety experienced when living in a very different culture.

Example

Moving abroad gave her culture shock at first, but she soon adapted to local customs.

Moving abroad gave her culture shock at first, but she soon adapted to local customs.

Etymology

A compound coined by anthropologists in the 1950s from 'culture' and 'shock'.

How & Where It’s Used

Used in travel, study abroad, and migration.

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