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

Examples of cheeky in a Sentence

a cheeky comment about something that was none of her business

Recent Examples on the Web

This Amazon version captures the same look for less with ribbed fabric, tie-side thong bottoms, beaded spaghetti straps, and the same cheeky Brazilian cut. — Amanda Eyre Ward, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2026

Sydney Sweeney posed in nothing but cheeky white lingerie in a video shared to her Instagram Stories on July 17. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 18 July 2026

After completing a few loops over the water, the pilot decided to spell out a cheeky message for eagle-eyed members of the aviation community. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 16 July 2026

The group was behind several similarly cheeky anti-Trump installations around the capital, including statues alluding to Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 15 July 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