tongue-in-cheek

1 of 2

adjective

ˈtəŋ-in-ˈchēk 

: characterized by insincerity, irony, or whimsical exaggeration

tongue in cheek

2 of 2

adverb

: with insincerity, irony, or whimsical exaggeration

Examples of tongue-in-cheek in a Sentence

Adverb

The whole interview was done tongue in cheek.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

For good measure, Pabst’s social media updates took a tongue-in-cheek approach that may have actually convinced people the posts were more playful than actual pleas for help. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

Angus Young has repeated in interviews over the years that all this imagery and lyrical content about hell and the devil was pure tongue-in-cheek theatrics and nothing more. — Rodney Ho, AJC.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Adverb

And so everything about the book was meant to be also a little tongue in cheek. — Caroline Reilly, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Swift was shown spoon-feeding him, tongue in cheek, like a fussy baby in a restaurant. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1899, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1856, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tongue-in-cheek

• electroweak
• angelique
• dominique
• fenugreek
• politique
• veronique
• antique
• batik
• bespeak
• boutique
• cacique
• comique

Kids Definition

tongue-in-cheek

1 of 2 adjective

: not meant to be taken seriously

tongue in cheek

2 of 2 adverb

: in a tongue-in-cheek manner