tongue-in-cheek

1 of 2

adjective

: characterized by insincerity, irony, or whimsical exaggeration

tongue in cheek

2 of 2

adverb

: with insincerity, irony, or whimsical exaggeration

Examples of tongue-in-cheek in a Sentence

Adverb The whole interview was done tongue in cheek.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Most recently, The Substance, widely touted as a tongue-in-cheek feminist narrative mocking the debilitating limits of Hollywood beauty culture, kills off its heroine (Demi Moore) in the most gruesome, punishing way. Valerie Monroe, Allure, 25 Dec. 2024 The tongue-in-cheek campaign by the company, known for its plush oversized reclining chairs, touches on an increasingly hot-button issue, one stoked by growing passenger sizes and dwindling seat pitches. Monica Pitrelli, CNBC, 24 Dec. 2024
Adverb
There is no winking at the camera, no tongue in cheek — none of it. Brian Grubb, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2024 Wearing a colorful beach hat emblazoned with hot dog icons, Stewart drew TV cameras and several dozen downtown merchants to her declaration — only slightly tongue in cheek — that Hard-Hittin’ New Britain deserves the title of alpha dog in the hot dog world. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 17 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for tongue-in-cheek 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1899, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tongue-in-cheek was in 1856

Dictionary Entries Near tongue-in-cheek

tongue in cheek

tongue-in-cheek

tongue joint

Cite this Entry

“Tongue-in-cheek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tongue-in-cheek. Accessed 2 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

tongue-in-cheek

1 of 2 adjective
: not meant to be taken seriously

tongue in cheek

2 of 2 adverb
: in a tongue-in-cheek manner

More from Merriam-Webster on tongue-in-cheek

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!