What Does Cheugy Mean? Everything to Know About the Word

Mar. 15, 2025

Clockwise from upper left: reusable tote; ‘live laugh love’ sign; punny sun hat that says ‘life’s a beach’; chevron-patterned tote; mug that says ‘boss lady’.

If you’re still trying to figure out what the word “cheugy” means, we hate to be the ones to break it to you: You might be a cheug.

The newer term to the lexicon — which gained traction in 2021 when then-24-year-oldHallie Cain’s TikTok explainer went viral— is pronounced “CHEW-gee” and can be used to broadly describe “someone who is out of date or trying too hard,“according to theNew York Times.

From what it means to which items to hide in the back of the closet, here’s everything to know about being “cheugy.”

Hallie Cain’s definition of “cheugy”

In her TikTok, posted on March 30, 2021, Cain, a copywriter from Los Angeles, shared that she and her friends use the term to describe “the type of people who get married at 20 years old” or give offmillennial “#GirlBoss” energy. Think the polar opposite of trendy.

A few examples? Chevron print; Herbal Essences shampoo; anything with the phrase “Live, Laugh, Love” (bonus points if it’s embossed on a wooden sign from Target); glitter tumbler cups; and grown adults who still love all things Disney, whom the internet has appropriately dubbed as “Disney Adults.”

TikToker Rod breaks down the “male version” of cheugy

Chicago-based influencer@rod, whose viral videos help keep millennials in the know, also clarified that cheugy is gender-neutral. “Men, suck it up. We are basic too,” he said ina May 2021 TikTok videowhere he declared energy drinks, Axe body spray, cargo shorts and Buffalo Wild Wings among the things that constitute the “male version” of cheugy.

In addition to the skinny jeans and cargo shorts you already knew weren’t on-trend, Gucci belts, infinity scarfs and floppy sun hats with corny phrases written across the brim are undoubtedly cheugy fashion trends. But don’t throw them out just yet — like we mentioned before, the word constantly changes. (You can keep up with the account@cheuglifeon Instagram, and we fully expect to see that the word “cheugy” is now cheugy.)

Fashion influencer Cat Ward reveals which formerly cheugy trends are in style again

Cat Ward, a.k.a@glowupu, pointed out that severalonce-cheugy trends are making a comeback. “Coach was definitely considered outdated five years ago, but they’ve since rebranded and are absolutely killing it,” she explained in a May 2021 TikTok, referencing the label’s resurgence under Coach Creative DirectorStuart Vevers.

“Lilly Pulitzeris on its way back. I’m honestly here for it,” she said, adding that anything velour or terry cloth would’ve been cheugy a few years before — but not anymore, thanks to the celebrity- and Gen Z-approved brandFrankies Bikinis.

“I don’t know if the Gucci belt will ever be back in, but it’s worth saving just in case,” the TikTok creator suggested.

So areyoucheugy? If you’re unsure and need further explanation, it might be time to bite the bullet and download TikTok.

source: people.com