What does “Cheugy” Mean On TikTok? New Term Explained

TikTok has become the number one social media platform for coining new terms into our language. The latest slang word to crop up on the platform is “cheugy”, but what exactly does it mean?

What does “Cheugy” mean?

It won’t take you that long to realise the reason why “cheugy” is so popular among our Gen-Z counterparts is actually because the term is likely to offend our delicate millennial lifestyle choices. 

But don’t just take it from us, check out Hailey Cain (otherwise known by her delightful TikTok username @webkinzwhore143) and her explanation below on what “cheugy” (pronounced “chew-ghee”) means:

The TikToker, and Urban Dictionary defines the term as “the opposite of trendy, was maybe stylish at secondary school, but is no longer in style.”

"It is used when someone follows these out of date trends, or something that falls into that category."

Urban Dictionary also explains that “cheugy” can also “include but not be limited to fashion, habits on social media, usage of slang etc”. 

In short, everything you ever loved as a teenager is basically “cheugy” now. Slogan tees, motivational tumblr quotes and cute Instagram captions? All “cheugy”. 

How do TikTokers use “Cheugy”?

As I’m sure you can imagine, “cheugy” has become one of the most popular hashtags to house viral trends on TikTok. One of the trends is where Gen-Zs savagely slate our once-beloved phrases, and then dub them as “cheugy”. Someone pass the salt, please?

But don’t worry, it’s not just us Millennials in the firing line of “cheugy”, Gen-Z’s even go after each other now, citing their own fashion and lifestyle trends as “cheugy” before those trends are even considered “cheugy”.

Here’s @tw1nkleorzel explaining how small sunglasses, often modeled by the likes of Kendall Jenner and Bella Hadid, chunky trainers, LED lights and platform boots are all expected to be “cheugy” eventually.

In short, you can’t win. So wear whatever you want, cause it’ll all be “cheugy” one day.

Featured Image Credit: Danielle Leilani

Topics: TikTok, Instagram, Social Media

Gabriella Ferlita

Gabriella Ferlita is a full-time journalist at LADbible Group, writing on lifestyle, communities and news across Tyla, LADbible and UNILAD. When she's not writing, she's fussing over her five-year-old Toyger cat, Clarence.

@Gabriellaf_17