adjective

cheugy

CHOO-gee

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Cheugy (adjective) means Slightly out of fashion in a way that suggests trying too hard, especially by clinging to styles that were popular a few years earlier. Example: “She laughed and said her signature phrase was officially cheugy now.”

adjective

slang Slightly out of fashion in a way that suggests trying too hard, especially by clinging to styles that were popular a few years earlier.

"She laughed and said her signature phrase was officially cheugy now."

"Those chunky slogan mugs are peak cheugy."

How to use cheugy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNot cool any more, in a slightly embarrassing, out-of-date way.

When to use it

Internet slang, most common among younger speakers online; often light-hearted teasing rather than a serious insult.

Memory tip

The noun form is cheug, meaning a person whose taste is cheugy, but the adjective is far more common.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

cringe → basic → chuggy

Common pairings

so cheugy peak cheugy cheugy aesthetic that's cheugy

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “cheugy” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She laughed and said her signature phrase was officially _____ now.

Etymology

Reportedly coined by American high school student Gaby Rasson in 2013 to describe "people who were slightly off trend" and subsequently popularized by her peers.

Synonyms

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dated passé uncool basic naff

Antonyms

stylish current

Related words

back old former current easy common present simple

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between cheugy and basic?

Basic means following mainstream taste right now. Cheugy means following a mainstream taste that has already moved on, so it carries the extra sting of being behind the times.

How do you pronounce cheugy?

It rhymes roughly with the second half of the word doughy, said as CHOO-gee with a hard g. The spelling is misleading for most learners.

Where does the word cheugy come from?

It emerged as internet slang in the 2010s and spread widely on social media in 2021. Its precise origin is not securely documented, so accounts of who coined it should be treated with caution.

What is the meaning of cheugy?

"cheugy" (adjective) means slightly out of fashion in a way that suggests trying too hard, especially by clinging to styles that were popular a few years earlier.

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back old former current easy common present simple