English Lexicon

Cultural Friction

/ˈkʌl.tʃər.əl ˈfrɪk.ʃən/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The tension or conflict that arises when different cultures interact, often due to differing values, beliefs, or practices.

    "The cultural friction between the expatriates and the local community led to misunderstandings and conflicts."
  2. 2

    A phenomenon where cultural differences create barriers to communication or cooperation.

    "In multinational teams, cultural friction can hinder collaboration if not addressed properly."

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Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'cultural friction' combines 'cultural', derived from the Latin 'cultura', meaning 'cultivation', and 'friction', from the Latin 'frictio', meaning 'rubbing'. The phrase emerged in the late 20th century to describe the tensions arising from cultural differences in increasingly globalized societies.

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