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

In addition to cheesy garlic bread (seeded Bronx bastone, mozzarella, Pecorino Romano and Parmesan Reggiano, Sicilian oregano, served with an 8-hour marinara) and meatballs with 8-hour marinara, the stand is offering two new desserts! —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025

Our recipe tasters could not stop raving about the cheesy flavor of this onion recipe. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2025

The kind of recipes that might live in the middle of this Venn diagram are cheesy baked pastas, veggie burgers, vegetarian burrito bowls, quesadillas, and pizza. —Emily Farris, Bon Appétit, 14 Mar. 2025

Objectively cheesy, but also HURTING MY FEELINGS. Jane wanting the Wii and shooting Samantha for it is simultaneously so dumb and wild. —Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 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