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

Crawford gave the top its red carpet moment at the Mr. & Mrs. Smith premiere in 2005, cementing it as both a supermodel staple and a snapshot of mid-2000s fashion’s cheeky, slogan-loving era. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 18 Mar. 2025

The signature transparency, cheeky humor and too-cool-for-school style remain. —Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2025

The cheeky color belies the dramatic silhouette, which is extra-elongated in all the right places (sleeves, hemline). —airmail.news, 15 Mar. 2025

After a cheeky chip from the Brazilian, Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver was left to pick the ball out of the net. —Braidon Nourse, The Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see cheek entry 1

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cheeky

• creaky
• freaky
• leaky
• sneaky
• squeaky
• streaky

Kids Definition

cheeky

adjective

ˈchē-kē 

cheekier; cheekiest

informal : boldly rude or disrespectful in usually a playful way

cheekiness noun