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

So that's really the idea behind Cheeky Takeout—this idea that everyone, once in a while, needs a cheeky takeout. —H. Alan Scott, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025

According to Robinson, the new collection is cheekier than the brand's last one with the country star. —Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 10 June 2025

Styled by Kate Young, Johnson’s look was very much in the rhythm of her ongoing press tour aesthetic: Sensual, slinky, and a little bit cheeky. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 8 June 2025

James Vanderbilt’s screenplay flashes some cheeky references (including one about a Vanderbilt) but there are no big surprises to be had here. —Randy Myers, Mercury News, 30 May 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