cheekier; cheekiest
Synonyms of cheekynext
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 adverb
cheekiness noun

Examples of cheeky in a Sentence

a cheeky comment about something that was none of her business
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The future princess is said to have posted a sign on her bedroom door reading ‘Chief Chick,’ a cheeky nod to her landlady status. Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 23 Feb. 2026 For decades, cheeky daddy figures from Jack Paar and Johnny Carson to Jimmys Fallon and Kimmel sat atop the Hollywood food chain. Joy Press, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026 Badlands might be a simple movie on the surface, but it's filled with little details, bits of lore, and cheeky winks many moviegoers appreciated. Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 17 Feb. 2026 The cheeky wink that Isabella gives Nelly, however, was a spur-of-the-moment idea that came to Fennell during filming. Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cheeky

Word History

Etymology

see cheek entry 1

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cheeky was in 1838

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cheeky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheeky. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

cheeky

adjective
cheekier; cheekiest
informal : boldly rude or disrespectful in usually a playful way
cheekiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on cheeky

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster