cheeky

cheeky — adjective

1. behaving or speaking in a way that shows mild disrespect or a lack of politeness

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

behaving or speaking in a way that shows mild disrespect or a lack of politeness, but done playfully so that most people find it funny rather than hurtful.

Example

Theo's cheeky remark made his sister laugh, even though their mother frowned.

collocation: cheeky remark

The teacher tried hard not to smile at the boy's cheeky answer.

Common collocations
  • cheeky grin
  • cheeky smile
  • cheeky remark
  • cheeky comment
  • cheeky reply
  • cheeky answer
  • cheeky text
  • cheeky monkey
  • cheeky look
  • cheeky little [noun]
Synonyms
  • impudent

    more formal and stronger; implies genuine disrespect rather than playful boldness

  • impertinent

    more formal; suggests overfamiliarity or not showing proper respect to someone in authority

  • saucy

    similarly playful but often with a slightly flirtatious or lively tone

  • mischievous

    focuses on causing trouble in a playful way, without the element of disrespect toward others

Antonyms
  • polite

    showing good manners and respect, the opposite of being cheeky

  • respectful

    showing proper regard for others' feelings or authority

Grammar Patterns

be + cheeky (to someone)

a cheeky + noun

Usage Note

Often describes a remark, facial expression, or piece of behaviour. The speaker typically finds the behaviour amusing rather than offensive. Common in British and Australian English but less frequent in American usage.

Common Mistakes

My boss made a cheeky comment about my work and I felt terrible.
My boss made a cheeky comment about my tie
I knew he was joking.' — Cheeky behaviour is meant playfully, not to cause real hurt or offence.
The stranger was cheeky to me on the bus, and I was afraid.
The boy gave a cheeky grin after his joke fell flat.
Cheeky implies light-hearted boldness, not threatening rudeness.

Word family

  • cheek
    nounB1
  • cheekily
    adverbC1
  • cheekiness
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Cheeky describes behaviour that is mildly disrespectful but delivered playfully — the speaker is usually not trying to cause real harm; a child's cheeky grin after a joke is typical. Impudent is more formal and carries a sharper edge; it implies bold disrespect, often toward someone in authority, with little humour involved. Impertinent adds the notion of overfamiliarity — speaking to a superior as if they were an equal, in a way considered inappropriate. Saucy overlaps with cheeky but adds a lively, sometimes flirtatious quality, often used for witty or bold remarks. Mischievous focuses on a playful desire to cause minor trouble but lacks the element of disrespect toward others; a mischievous child hides a toy rather than talking back. A cheeky student might say, 'Are you sure that's the answer, Miss?' — playfully challenging. An impertinent one would say the same thing with a dismissive tone.

cheeky ↗impudentimpertinentsaucymischievous

Common collocations

Phrases

  • a cheeky grin
  • a cheeky smile
  • a cheeky remark
  • a cheeky comment
  • a cheeky reply
  • a cheeky text
  • a cheeky monkey
  • a cheeky little thing

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

Derived from 'cheek' (the side of the face) plus the suffix '-y'. The sense of 'cheek' meaning 'bold impudence' or 'nerve' dates from the 19th century — as in the phrase 'to have the cheek to do something'. By the 1840s, 'cheeky' emerged as an adjective describing someone who shows that kind of playful boldness.