cheesy

adjective

ˈchē-zē 

cheesier; cheesiest

1

a

: resembling or suggesting cheese especially in consistency or odor

b

: containing cheese

2

: shabby sense 3c, cheap

a cheesy movie

cheesy motels

cheesiness noun

Synonyms

• dowdy
• inelegant
• styleless
• tacky
• tasteless
• ticky-tacky
• ticky-tack
• trashy
• unfashionable
• unstylish

Examples of cheesy in a Sentence

cheesy plastic knickknacks lined the fireplace mantel

a cheesy watch that he bought from a sidewalk vendor preying on tourists

Recent Examples on the Web

This fresh-and-crunch platter of veggies and shrimp with a spicy dip is the perfect foil for all of our other cheesy favorites. —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2025

Some old movies begin as a cheesy map gone up in flames to quick-start real people talking, in trouble, if-in-fact. —Marianne Boruch, The New York Review of Books, 20 Feb. 2025

Now, Ryan Seacrest is weighing in on the cheesy gesture. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025

This earnest, cheesy real-life drama concerns parents (Fraser and Keri Russell) who try to start a biotech company off the research of a genius doctor (Ford) to save their son. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 18 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for cheesy

• breezy
• easy
• queasy
• sleazy
• wheezy
• marchese
• speakeasy
• uneasy

Kids Definition

cheesy

adjective

ˈchē-zē 

cheesier; cheesiest

1

a

: resembling or suggesting cheese

b

: containing cheese

2

: cheap sense 3a

a cheesy movie

cheesiness noun

Medical Definition

cheesy

adjective

ˈchē-zē 

cheesier; cheesiest

: resembling cheese in consistency

cheesy lesions

a cheesy discharge