Shrek

plural Shreks

1. derogatoryslangAn extremely ugly person.

   'I don't want my sister to see you look like a mess, like an ugly Shrek.'

   2016, Jadyn Patrilita, Petimara Ualesi, Fear to Lose

   2 more examples

   'Well, well, well, who have we got here? 'A very fat Shrek suddenly loomed up on them. 'Your host at your service,' he said, with a little bow.

   2012, Clodagh Murphy, Frisky Business

   How do you dry your hair? NO DIFFUSER? You are a Shrek. Diffusers are essential!

   2017 May 27, Rekha Shankar, “A Few Simple Tips for Curly-hair Care”, in The New Yorker

present singular third person Shreks · participle present Shrekking · participle past Shrekked · past Shrekked

1. neologismslangTo date someone who one finds unattractive but potentially a good partner; to engage in Shrekking.

   Despite the risk of getting shrekked, some Toreros still think that looks aren't all that matters when it comes to finding a potential suitor.

   2025 October 2, Emma Pirhala, “Have you been 'shrekked?': A tall tale of being dumped by a charity case”, in The USD Vista, volume 63, number 3, University of San Diego, page 4

   3 more examples

   If you've fallen into this mindset and gotten "Shrekked," Chan says not to give up or go back to dating only people who fall within narrow beauty standards.

   2025 August 21, Charles Trepany, “The new dating term 'Shrekking' sounds innocent. It's not what you think”, in USA Today

   There has been ample commentary on the trend, too, with one TikTok clip garnering more than 600 comments from people concurring that they have been “Shrekked”.

   2025 September 12, Olivia Petter, “Shrekking – or deliberately dating 'ugly' men – is a new low for modern love”, in The Independent

   Are you ‘Shrekking’ or ‘breadcrumbing’? ¶ There is a new vocabulary to describe modern dating – whether you’re navigating a ‘situationship’ or ‘soft-launching’ a new romance.

   2026 September 19, Jancee Dunn, “Here to Help; How to Find More Time for Your Friends”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, page A.3