cheek

noun \ ˈchēk \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 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

Turn the other cheek, love one’s enemies and pray for those who persecute you, even unto death.

— marilyn yalom, WSJ, "‘Evolution of Desire’ Review: Who Was René Girard?," 1 June 2018
But the car owner pulled out his own gun and fired, striking the teen in the cheek, police said.

— christine dempsey, courant.com, "Hartford PD: Juvenile With Long Car Theft Record — And A Bullet Wound — Is Still Stealing Cars," 1 June 2018
The gala’s online fans have kept the party going this week with Instagram updates, YouTube videos, and tweets that offer personal interpretations of their favorite looks and a tongue-in-cheek stab at the pomp and circumstance.

— janelle okwodu, Vogue, "4 Epic Met Gala Dress Recreations That Went Viral," 11 May 2018
But in an exhibition in Seattle called Figuring History, the late African-American artist Robert Colescott provides a tongue-in-cheek send-up of the painting.

— jane levere, Smithsonian, "What Happens When Art History Gets Refigured," 9 May 2018
Their tongue-in-cheek parody fooled some Amazon customers back in January, but hopefully everyone gets in on the joke this time.

— caroline picard, Good Housekeeping, "How to Stream the Royal Wedding Online," 5 May 2018
Fidel Castro kissed her on the cheek during a reception in Cuba.

— james r. hagerty, WSJ, "Davida Coady Traveled the World to Give Medical Training and Care to the Poor," 18 May 2018
The only one Francis is shown kissing on each cheek was Bishop Juan Barros, the man at the center of the scandal.

— Fox News, "The Latest: Pope: Chile's bishops will get past sex scandal," 17 May 2018
They were seen greeting each other with a hug and a kiss on each cheek, according to a video taken at the event.

— erica gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Bella Hadid and The Weeknd Just Kissed in Cannes and Our Hearts Are Exploding," 11 May 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

cheeked; cheeking; cheeks

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