cheeky

adjective

ˈchē-kē 

cheekier; cheekiest

informal

: boldly rude, impudent, or disrespectful in usually a playful or appealing way

a cheeky grin

… old-timers who still look like they could deck you if you get too cheeky.

—Shaun Assael

cheekily

ˈchē-kə-lē 

adverb

cheekiness

ˈchē-kē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• arch
• audacious
• bold
• bold-faced
• brash
• brassbound
• brassy
• brazen
• brazen-faced
• cocksure
• cocky
• fresh
• impertinent
• impudent
• insolent
• nervy
• sassy
• saucy
• wise

Examples of cheeky in a Sentence

a cheeky comment about something that was none of her business

Recent Examples on the Web

Rather than expand on a life that could have been, My Lady Jane shoves her instead into someone else’s idea of a cheeky little fairy tale. —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 June 2024

Jungle Ballroom at Mondrian Singapore Duxton In order to stand out in a city like Singapore, a hotel needs to make a splash—and Mondrian’s first outpost in the region does exactly that with its cheeky, sleek Jungle Ballroom. —Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 June 2024

Backgrid denied the couple’s request with a cheeky statement. —Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 4 June 2024

Prince Harry showing off his cheeky side by sticking out his tongue! —Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 13 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

see cheek entry 1

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cheeky

adjective

ˈchē-kē 

cheekier; cheekiest

informal : boldly rude or disrespectful in usually a playful way

cheekiness noun