saucy

adjective

ˈsȯ-sē 

ˈsa-

saucier; sauciest

1

: served with or having the consistency of sauce

2

a

: impertinently bold and impudent

b

: amusingly forward and flippant : irrepressible

3

: smart, trim

a saucy little hat

saucily

ˈsȯ-sə-lē 

ˈsa-

adverb

sauciness

ˈsȯ-sē-nəs 

ˈsa-

noun

Synonyms

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

Examples of saucy in a Sentence

irritated his fellow travelers with saucy questions and comments

Recent Examples on the Web

Wendy’s, which also has its own saucy nuggets, has recently revealed a freebie too. —Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 25 June 2024

Jet, which had more than a million subscribers, was the saucy little sister of Ebony. —Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 25 June 2024

Though most people in this city flock to their favorite Italian restaurant in search of high-carb, saucy and cheesy comfort foods, many don’t realize there’s another side to Italian food. —Kaitlyn Rosati, New York Daily News, 13 June 2024

And of all those saucy offerings, only one (Dan’s) makes it into the chefs’ favorites. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 15 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1508, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

saucy

adjective

ˈsȯs-ē 

saucier; sauciest

1

: marked by bold rudeness or disrespect : impudent

a saucy child

a saucy answer

2

: smart entry 2 sense 6a, trim

a saucy little hat

saucily

-ə-lē 

adverb

sauciness

-ē-nəs 

noun