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

• inappropriate
• tacky
• unsuitable
• trashy
• incorrect
• wrong
• tasteless
• unfashionable
• cheap
• inelegant

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

And the beef birria egg rolls were heavenly, cheesy goodness. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Still, both the researchers and outside experts said there are plausible explanations for why a cheesy meal before bed could lead to bad dreams. —Shreya Srinivasan, NBC news, 1 July 2025

The Lost World: Jurassic Park but Irwin Allen’s cheesy but primitively fun 1960 movie). —Pete Hammond, Deadline, 30 June 2025

The leaks coming out of the Garden about Tom Thibodeau continue to be predictably cheesy. —Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 28 June 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