tongue-in-cheek

1 of 2

adjective

: characterized by insincerity, irony, or whimsical exaggeration

tongue in cheek

2 of 2

adverb

: with insincerity, irony, or whimsical exaggeration

Examples of tongue-in-cheek in a Sentence

Adverb The whole interview was done tongue in cheek.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Noel Fielding and Hugh Bonneville lead a stellar ensemble cast boasting the cream of UK talent in the tongue-in-cheek reimaging of an iconic highwayman. Simon Thompson, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Some drew tongue-in-cheek comparisons to the disastrous 2017 Fyre Festival. House of Illuminati, an events company first registered in Britain in November, did not respond to a request for comment. Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 The band, known for its tongue-in-cheek spin on its music, obviously noticed, too. Journal Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2024 There is something purposefully tongue-in-cheek in the slight mouthful of a name for the festival itself, the Los Angeles Festival of Movies. Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2024 The film’s focus on ritual is often tongue-in-cheek, from extended sequences of actual traditions geared toward forcing Meena to marry Pandi, to more mechanical goings-on, like the repetitive tradition of rope-starting the rickety rickshaw. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 18 Feb. 2024 With its brightly colored mural, tongue-in-cheek genre categories, and handwritten recommendations, Books Are Magic will charm those for whom reading is a pastime, an aesthetic, and a life style. The New Yorker, 17 Feb. 2024 Offscreen, the actor has proven to be a man of many talents, penning a series of comedic books with tongue-in-cheek titles like A Goomba's Guide to Life. Chris Snellgrove, EW.com, 11 Feb. 2024 These jokes and satire fill memes and social media posts, tongue-in-cheek statements during press conferences and in interviews, jibes that are a response to Russian disinformation and propaganda. Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2024
Adverb
In fairness, some of it was tongue in cheek, but there was definitely an element of seriousness to it. Mike Freeman, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024 Some of the decor is a bit over the top and tongue in cheek, even veering into kitsch. Maggie Gillette, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Jan. 2024 That track is kind of tongue in cheek: ooh, look, Blade Runner on top of jazz score! Julianne Escobedo Shepherd, Pitchfork, 16 Nov. 2023 With that in mind, The Courier Journal offers its annual breakdown of why each horse can and can’t win the Kentucky Derby — many serious, a few tongue in cheek, one destined to be right. Jason Frakes, The Courier-Journal, 3 May 2023 The Five Families, as they are called tongue in cheek, have waged a fierce battle for market share, buying out other hospitals and forging partnerships with health insurers. Jmanning, oregonlive, 17 Aug. 2023 The cast is diverse, and the story — while very much tongue in cheek — demonstrates how arts camps can be safe, welcoming spaces for kids. Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 21 July 2023 The name was intended to be tongue in cheek, a nod to our goal of making this newsletter feel like a community of readers learning together. Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2023 Watters often plays his role as provocateur with tongue in cheek and is prone to making outrageous statements. Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tongue-in-cheek.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1899, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tongue-in-cheek was in 1856

Dictionary Entries Near tongue-in-cheek

tongue grass

tongue-in-cheek

tongue in cheek

Cite this Entry

“Tongue-in-cheek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tongue-in-cheek. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

tongue-in-cheek

1 of 2 adjective
: not meant to be taken seriously

tongue in cheek

2 of 2 adverb
: in a tongue-in-cheek manner

More from Merriam-Webster on tongue-in-cheek

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