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 of cheeky

• wise
• sassy
• saucy
• bold
• impudent
• fresh
• brazen
• cocky
• insolent
• blunt
• brassy
• cute
• defiant
• audacious
• brash
• impertinent
• nervy
• cocksure
• assertive

Examples of cheeky in a Sentence

a cheeky comment about something that was none of her business

Recent Examples on the Web

Consider it a cheeky wink shared between only you and the designers behind this launch. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026

Tellingly, not one of these standout garments is plastered with logos, cheeky text, or some representational figure (festive or otherwise). — Jon Roth, Robb Report, 5 Sep. 2026

No detail is overlooked—from antiques and scents to cheeky notes tucked in unexpected corners, the experience is intimate, playful, and deeply personal. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Sep. 2026

The theft comes just weeks after a beer heist in the United States captured the public's attention because of the brewer's cheeky social media posts about the loss of roughly 34,000 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see cheek entry 1

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cheeky

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

Kids Definition

cheeky

adjective

ˈchē-kē 

cheekier; cheekiest

informal : boldly rude or disrespectful in usually a playful way

cheekiness noun