cheek

¹cheek

noun \ˈchēk\

Definition of CHEEK

1

: the fleshy side of the face below the eye and above and to the side of the mouth; broadly : the lateral aspect of the head

2

: something suggestive of the human cheek in position or form; especially : one of two laterally paired parts

3

: insolent boldness and self-assurance

4

: buttock 1

— cheek·ful \-ˌfu̇l\ noun

Examples of CHEEK

1. He kissed her on the cheek.
2. He's got a cheek ignoring us like that.

Origin of CHEEK

Middle English cheke, from Old English cēace; akin to Middle Low German kāke jawbone

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to CHEEK

Synonyms

backchat, back talk, impertinence, impudence, insolence, mouth, sass, sauce

Related Words

comeback, rejoinder, retort, riposte, wisecrack; cuteness, discourtesy, disrespect, guff, impoliteness, nonsense, rudeness, tactlessness; audaciousness, audacity, boldness, brazenness; coarseness, crassness, crudity, vulgarity; abruptness, bluffness, bluntness, brusqueness, crossness, curtness, gruffness, surliness

Near Antonyms

civility, cordiality, courtesy, diplomacy, politeness, tactfulness; consideration, gallantry, gentility, graciousness, smoothness, suaveness, suavity; deference, respect; affability

See Synonym Discussion at temerity

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with CHEEK

beak, bleak, chic, cleek, clique, creak, creek, Creek, eke, flic, freak, geek, gleek, Greek, keek, leak, leek, meek, peak, peek, peke, pic, pique, reek, screak, seek, sheikh, shriek, sic, Sikh, sleek, sneak, speak, squeak, steek, streak, streek, teak, tweak, weak, week

²cheek

transitive verb

Definition of CHEEK

chiefly British

: to speak rudely or impudently to

First Known Use of CHEEK

1840

cheek

noun \ˈchēk\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CHEEK

1

: the fleshy side of the face below the eye and above and to the side of the mouth; broadly : the lateral aspect of the head

2

: buttock 1