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

Elizabeth Hurley made waves on Instagram on Saturday in a cheeky bikini held together by a teeny-tiny string. —Chanel Vargas, InStyle, 13 June 2026

Cut those curls to a chin-grazing length and add some wispy bangs, like this cheeky cut by Nova Arts Salon owner Sal Salcedo. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 June 2026

Browne is intellectual, playful, cheeky — the domain of schoolboy dreams and art world fancy. —Dave Schilling contributing follow, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026

Even by Swiftie standards, this auction is kinda cheeky. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 8 June 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