cheeky

B2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈt͡ʃiːki/ See IPA manual

Freq #9808

Meanings

1

adj
Slightly rude or bold, often in a way that is funny or charming.

The little boy gave a cheeky grin when he was caught taking a cookie.
2

adj
Enjoyed as a small, often unhealthy, treat.

We stopped for a cheeky pizza on the way home.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · slightly rude or bold,... impudent impertinent

More audacious boldbold-facedbrassy brazenbrazen-facedchutzpadikcocket cutedicaciousfaceyfamiliar

Opposites

meek polite respectful restrained shy sycophantic

Word family

Forms cheekiercheekiest

Derived forms cheekilycheekiness

Related forms facetious ornery

Etymology

From cheek + -y. Compare typologically barefaced, bald-faced; Italian sfacciato (< Latin ex- + faciēs); French effronté, Italian sfrontato (< Latin ex- + frons), Polish czelny (< czoło).

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

# cheeky

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ˈt͡ʃiːki/
**Frequency rank:** 9808

## Meanings
1. Slightly rude or bold, often in a way that is funny or charming.
2. Enjoyed as a small, often unhealthy, treat.

## Examples
- The little boy gave a cheeky grin when he was caught taking a cookie.
- We stopped for a cheeky pizza on the way home.

## Synonyms
- audacious
- bold
- bold-faced
- brassy
- brazen
- brazen-faced
- chutzpadik
- cocket
- cute
- dicacious
- facey
- familiar

## Antonyms
- meek
- polite
- respectful
- restrained
- shy
- sycophantic

## Derived Forms
- cheekily
- cheekiness

## Related Forms
- facetious
- ornery

## Etymology
From cheek + -y. Compare typologically barefaced, bald-faced; Italian sfacciato (< Latin ex- + faciēs); French effronté, Italian sfrontato (< Latin ex- + frons), Polish czelny (< czoło).

## AI Etymology
cheeky is an adjective. It is from cheek + -y. Compare typologically barefaced, bald-faced; Italian sfacciato (< Latin ex- + faciēs); French effronté, Italian sfrontato (< Latin ex- + frons), Polish czelny (< czoło). Current senses include slightly rude or bold, often in a way that is funny or charming and enjoyed as a small, often unhealthy, treat. Derived forms include cheekily and cheekiness. Related words include facetious and ornery.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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