cheek

noun \ ˈchēk \

Updated on: 21 Apr 2018

Definition of cheek

1 : the fleshy side of the face below the eye and above and to the side of the mouth; broadly : the lateral aspect of the head

2 : something suggestive of the human cheek in position or form; especially : one of two laterally paired parts

3 : insolent boldness and self-assurance

4 : buttock 1

—

cheekful

play \-ˌfu̇l\ noun

See cheek defined for English-language learners

See cheek defined for kids

Examples of cheek in a Sentence

He kissed her on the cheek.
He's got a cheek ignoring us like that.

Recent Examples of cheek from the Web

Meat hook light fixtures, painted silhouettes of meat grinders and cleavers fashioned into hanging garlands set a none-too-subtle meaty theme, which is a little corny, but playfully tongue-in-cheek.

— dominic armato, azcentral, "The Sicilian Butcher: 908 ways to eat meatballs at Maggiore's new Italian restaurant. But are they good?," 10 Apr. 2018
Though a bit tongue-in-cheek, the petition seems to be an authentic endeavor and not an April Fools' joke.

— sonia rao, chicagotribune.com, "'Avengers: Infinity War' promotion keeps forgetting Hawkeye, infuriating Jeremy Renner fans," 3 Apr. 2018
Deadpool's self-aware, sarcastic, and tongue-in-cheek style is what's had people so excited for the sequel coming out on May 18, but the most recent trailer for the superhero comedy might have just had its most meta moment yet.

— kathryn lindsay, refinery29.com, "Did You Catch The Blake Lively Joke In The Deadpool 2 Trailer?," 22 Mar. 2018
Her tongue-in-cheek takes on race and sexuality politics are a breath of fresh air—and will absolutely crack you up.

— christopher rosa, Glamour, "13 Essential Female Stand-Up Specials to Watch Right Now," 20 Mar. 2018
Sperry ultimately shot the man with a .38 caliber handgun, firing a single bullet which struck the man in the cheek and went out the back of his head, Sams said.

— hannah leone, Aurora Beacon-News, "Aurora man gets seven years for shooting acquaintance in the face, fleeing police," 17 Mar. 2018
When asked, tongue-in-cheek, if the chess team laid the foundation for the stunning upset, the group agreed.

— c.j. doon, baltimoresun.com, "'We're not this nerdy': UMBC players compare NCAA tournament history to winning in popular video game," 17 Mar. 2018
However, perhaps the best was that of Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa, who responded with an excellent tongue-in-cheek remark, poking fun at the closeness of their relationship.

— SI.com, "Diego Costa Makes Fun of Nemanja Matic and Jose Mourinho With Tongue-in-Cheek Instagram Comment," 9 Mar. 2018
Most inventive beer: Swooly is a tongue-in-cheek imperial Kolsch that is fruited with pineapple, mango and orange, then heated with jalapenos.

— bailey loosemore, The Courier-Journal, "Everything you need to know about 3rd Turn Brewing, a craft brewery in Louisville," 4 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cheek.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cheek

Middle English cheke, from Old English cēace; akin to Middle Low German kāke jawbone

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

cheek Synonyms

Synonyms

audaciousness, audacity, brashness, brass, brassiness, brazenness, cheekiness, chutzpah (also chutzpa), crust, effrontery, face, gall, nerve, nerviness, pertness, presumption, presumptuousness, sauce, sauciness, temerity;

Near Antonyms

bashfulness, diffidence, faintheartedness, hesitancy, modesty, shyness, timidity, timidness, timorousness;

civility, courteousness, courtesy, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness, manners;

discourteousness, disrespect, impertinence, impoliteness, impudence, incivility, inconsiderateness, inconsideration, insolence, rudeness, ungraciousness;

back talk, sass;

swagger, swash;

Synonym Discussion of cheek

temerity, audacity, hardihood, effrontery, nerve, cheek, gall, chutzpah mean conspicuous or flagrant boldness. temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger.

- had the temerity to refuse

audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

- an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

- admired for her hardihood

effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

- outraged at his effrontery

nerve, cheek, gall, and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery.

- the nerve of that guy
- has the cheek to call herself a singer
- had the gall to demand proof
- the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

cheek

verb

Definition of cheek

transitive verb

chiefly British

: to speak rudely or impudently to

Recent Examples of cheek from the Web

Called Casting Couch, the piece depicts a paunchy, stubble-cheeked Weinstein seated on a chaise lounge in silk pajamas.

— gwynedd stuart, Los Angeles Magazine, "How That Sculpture of Harvey Weinstein That Was Planted in Hollywood Got Made," 4 Apr. 2018
The soldiers were hollow-cheeked and drenched in sweat despite the sub-zero temperatures and the bitter wind in Paju, just 10 miles from South Korea's border with the North.

— mac william bishop, NBC News, "North Korean ex-assassin recalls 1968: ‘The year that mattered most’," 26 Jan. 2018
Some of the old folks dance cheek to cheek, barely moving to the rhythm.

— kate siber, USA TODAY, "Dance hall days: Texas preserves a treasured tradition," 25 Sep. 2017
On the deck of his trawler, Adam Stanwood—a barrel-chested, apple-cheeked fisherman in his 40s—uncovers a black plastic tray about two-and-a-half feet by one-and-a-half.

— National Geographic, "Why Smuggling of This Ocean Creature May Skyrocket," 2 June 2017
The twins relax and hug each other, cheek pressed to cheek.

— andrea simakis, cleveland.com, "When love and loss are multiplied - remembering a brother at Twins Days: Andrea Simakis," 13 Aug. 2017
Learn about the history of some of your favorite brands, what makes champagne, well, champagne, and leave a little rosy-cheeked after a delightful tasting.

— christina liao, Vogue, "Why You Should Go to Champagne, France—And All the Houses You Should Visit," 31 July 2017
On the deck of his trawler, Adam Stanwood—a barrel-chested, apple-cheeked fisherman in his 40s—uncovers a black plastic tray about two-and-a-half feet by one-and-a-half.

— National Geographic, "Why Smuggling of This Ocean Creature May Skyrocket," 2 June 2017

First Known Use of cheek

1840

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

CHEEK Defined for English Language Learners

cheek

noun

Definition of cheek for English Language Learners

: the part of the face that is below the eye and to the side of the nose and mouth
: an attitude or way of behaving that is rude and does not show proper respect
: one of the two parts of the body that a person sits on

CHEEK Defined for Kids

cheek

noun \ ˈchēk \

Definition of cheek for Students

1 : the side of the face below the eye and above and to the side of the mouth

2 : disrespectful speech or behavior

He was punished for his cheek.

Medical Dictionary

cheek

noun \ ˈchēk \

medical Definition of cheek

1 : the fleshy side of the face below the eye and above and to the side of the mouth; broadly : the lateral aspect of the head

2 : buttock 1

cheek

transitive verb

medical Definition of cheek

: to conceal (medication) in the cheek for future use

On March 29, two days before she committed suicide, the staff found she had been “cheeking medications” to save them for a later overdose …
—Michael O'D. Moore, The Bangor (Maine) Daily News, 12 July 2000