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

Mitzi Gaynor, the leggy entertainer whose saucy vitality and blond beauty graced the big screen in South Pacific and on Las Vegas stages and in spectacular TV specials, has died. —Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

The two long-standing food brands collaborated on a new condiment innovation to make burger-eating even more saucy. —Antonia Debianchi, People.com, 14 Oct. 2024

These saucy little numbers only continue the eye-catching outfits Sevigny has worn this month, during events such as New York Fashion Week and the Toronto International Film Festival. —Christian Allaire, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2024

The finished pasta is perfectly saucy and savory, easy to heat up, and makes excellent leftovers for another dinner. —Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 17 Sep. 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