cheek

cheek — noun

1. each of the two soft, rounded areas on the sides of a person's face, located bel

1.nounB1
Definition

each of the two soft, rounded areas on the sides of a person's face, located below the eyes and beside the mouth and nose

Example

Aiko wiped a tear from her cheek after reading the letter from her grandmother.

collocation: wipe a tear from [possessive] cheek

The old fisherman had a small scar on his left cheek from a childhood accident.

Common collocations
  • rosy cheeks
  • chubby cheeks
  • hollow cheeks
  • sunken cheeks
  • kiss someone on the cheek
  • pat someone's cheek
  • cheek muscles
  • tears streaming down [possessive] cheeks

Usage Note

This countable noun is often used in the plural when referring to both sides of the face together.

Common Mistakes

She kissed him on the cheekbone.
She kissed him on the cheek.
'cheekbone' is the bone beneath the cheek, not the soft part of the face.

2. bold or rude speech or actions that show a lack of the respect people expect, of

2.nounB2
Definition

bold or rude speech or actions that show a lack of the respect people expect, often delivered with annoying confidence; the quality of behaving in this way

Example

Diego had the cheek to ask for a raise after just two weeks in the job.

pattern: have the cheek to + infinitive

I cannot believe she had the cheek to blame me for her own mistake.

Common collocations
  • have the cheek to
  • what a cheek
  • the cheek of it
  • of all the cheek
Synonyms
  • nerve

    more common in American English; similar meaning of bold rudeness

  • impudence

    more formal; suggests a child's disrespect toward an adult

  • audacity

    stronger; suggests shocking boldness that takes risks

Antonyms
  • respect

    the polite behaviour that cheek opposes

  • politeness

    courteous conduct, the opposite of cheeky behaviour

Grammar Patterns

have the cheek to + infinitive

what + a + cheek

Usage Note

Most commonly used in the fixed expression 'have the cheek to do something', which emphasises the speaker's disapproval. This sense is almost always singular or uncountable — do not use 'cheeks' for this meaning.

Common Mistakes

He has cheeks to ask for more money.
He had the cheek to ask for more money.
Use the singular form 'cheek' with the definite article 'the' before it.

3. one of the two fleshy, rounded sections that make up a person's bottom, located

3.nounB2
Definition

one of the two fleshy, rounded sections that make up a person's bottom, located at the lower back of the body

Example

The doctor asked him to turn over so she could examine his left cheek.

collocation: left cheek / right cheek (for BOTTOM sense)

Kofi's right cheek was sore after sitting on the hard wooden bench all afternoon.

Common collocations
  • left cheek
  • right cheek
  • bottom cheek
  • cheek muscle (gluteal)
Synonyms
  • buttock

    the standard anatomical term; more formal than 'cheek' in this sense

  • bottom half

    a common paraphrase to avoid the body-part term

Usage Note

This sense is less common in everyday speech than 'FACE' sense. British speakers often use 'bottom' or 'bum' instead. The word 'cheek' here is more clinical or precise — for example, in medical or fitness contexts.

Idioms

turn the other cheek

idiom

to choose not to fight back or get angry when someone has hurt you or treated you badly, especially as a deliberate moral decision

When the other driver shouted at him, Yusuf turned the other cheek and drove away without arguing.

The teacher advised Priya to turn the other cheek rather than respond to the bully's taunts.

cheek by jowl

idiom

placed or living very close together, often in a way that feels crowded or uncomfortable

In the old city, houses stood cheek by jowl along narrow, winding streets.

Passengers sat cheek by jowl on the crowded train during the morning rush hour.

tongue in cheek

idiom

said or done in a joking way without meaning to be taken seriously; not intended as a sincere statement

Her remark about moving to a desert island was tongue in cheek, but some people believed her.

The article was written tongue in cheek, poking gentle fun at modern office culture.

cheek by jowl (with somebody/something)

idiom

Very close together, with little or no space between.

In the crowded subway, passengers stood cheek by jowl.

The two old houses were built cheek by jowl along the narrow street.

put roses in somebody’s cheeks

idiom

To make someone look healthy and full of color in their face.

A brisk walk in the cold air put roses in her cheeks.

The doctor said the new medicine would put roses in his cheeks.

cheek — verb

Word family

  • cheeky
    adjectiveB1
  • cheekily
    adverbB2
  • cheekiness
    nounC1
  • cheekbone
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

All four words describe bold, disrespectful behaviour, but they differ in tone and intensity. 'Cheek' (the headword) is the most informal and distinctly British — it suggests a mildly annoying, almost playful lack of respect, often in everyday situations. 'Nerve' is common in both British and American English; it carries a tone of personal offence ('He had the nerve to criticise my cooking'). 'Gall' is stronger and implies a thicker, more shameless kind of boldness ('She had the gall to show up uninvited'). 'Audacity' is the most dramatic, suggesting shocking boldness that defies expected limits ('They had the audacity to charge us for water'). 'Impudence' is more formal and commonly describes a child's disrespect toward adults ('The pupil's impudence earned him detention'). Choose 'cheek' for light, informal disapproval; 'gall' or 'audacity' for stronger outrage.

nerve ↗gallaudacityimpudence

Common collocations

Phrases

  • left cheek
  • right cheek

Etymology

Old EnglishGermanicEnglish

The word 'cheek' comes from Old English 'cēace' or 'cēoce', which meant 'jaw' or 'jawbone'. In early Germanic languages, the same root referred to the jaw area, and over many centuries its meaning shifted upward on the face to the soft area below the eye. The sense of 'rude behaviour' emerged in the 1800s, probably from the idea of 'turning the other cheek' — a bold, defiant posture. The verb form appeared in the late 19th century, used mainly in British English.