cheek

noun

\ ˈchēk

Definition of cheek

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 sense 1

cheek

verb

cheeked; cheeking; cheeks

Definition of cheek (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

chiefly British

: to speak rudely or impudently to

Other Words from cheek Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about cheek

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for cheek

Noun

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

Examples of cheek in a Sentence

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Video from the ceremony shows Hardwick greeting Bey at her seat with kiss on the cheek and a hug. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Actor Omari Hardwick Kissed Beyoncé Twice at the NAACP Image Awards and Her Fans Were Not Happy," 1 Apr. 2019 Getty Images Getty Images Getty Images Aside from the butt cheek and thigh muscles going on here, Kendall’s statement black dress featured a plunging, halter neck cut-out up front, an amazing cut-out back, and ombre shaded detail at the waist. — Lucy Wood, Marie Claire, "Kendall Jenner's Oscars After Party Dress Was Nearly-Naked From the Waist Down," 25 Feb. 2019 To turn Garner into the iconic matron of Oz's flying monkeys, Stiles began by covering her entire face and neck in green face paint, then dramatically contoured her cheeks and brow bones with black. — Zoe Weiner, Allure, "Jennifer Garner Transforms Into the Wicked Witch for Halloween, Thanks to Makeup Artist Fiona Stiles," 31 Oct. 2018 But Hadid’s chic gossip rag tee is a more tongue-in-cheek and self-aware choice. — Liana Satenstein, Vogue, "Why Is Gigi Hadid Black and White and Read All Over?," 1 Apr. 2019 Go for peachy pastels that feel like spring, and work that color into your eyes, cheeks, and lips. — Maya Allen, Marie Claire, "9 Pretty Spring 2019 Makeup Trends You're Going to See Everywhere," 5 Mar. 2019 Cold-weather conditions like frostnip and frostbite are most likely to affect your fingers, toes, ears, cheeks, and chin, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Korin Miller, SELF, "5 Signs of Frostnip (Which Actually Happens Before Frostbite)," 13 Feb. 2019 A few fingers up and down their spine, down the nape of their neck, or hovering around their cheeks and jaw. — Bernadette Anat, Seventeen, "How to Kiss: 20 Secrets Good Kissers Know," 2 Aug. 2018 My nose was Rudolph-crimson, my eyes puffy, and a splotch of scarlet bloomed in the middle of each cheek, like on a Russian nesting doll. — Nadia Berenstein, SELF, "Holiday Parties Bring Out the Worst of My Rosacea," 19 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Three years later, with apartment buildings now cheek-by-jowl with the club, those same residents, joined by dozens more, raised concerns in emails and public meetings about potential noise from the roof. — Alan Neuhauser, Washington Post, "A D.C. strip club reopens to a changed neighborhood — of high-end condos and artisanal toast," 25 June 2018 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

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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about cheek

Dictionary Entries near cheek

Statistics for cheek

Last Updated

19 Apr 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for cheek

The first known use of cheek was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for cheek

cheek

noun

English Language Learners Definition of cheek

: the part of the face that is below the eye and to the side of the nose and mouth

British : an attitude or way of behaving that is rude and does not show proper respect

informal : one of the two parts of the body that a person sits on

See the full definition for cheek in the English Language Learners Dictionary

cheek

noun

\ ˈchēk

Kids Definition of cheek

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.

cheek

noun

\ ˈchēk\

Medical Definition of cheek

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 sense 1

cheek

transitive verb

Medical Definition of cheek (Entry 2 of 2)

: 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