cheek
B1Neutral to informal when meaning impertinence.
Definition
Meaning
The fleshy side of the face below the eye.
Boldness or lack of respect, especially in speech or behaviour; an impertinent or insolent manner.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The physical sense is the primary, concrete meaning. The figurative sense of 'impudence' is very common and derived from the idea of turning the cheek in defiance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in core meaning. The figurative sense (impudence) is slightly more common in British English.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'cheek' as impudence is often used with a tone of mild admonishment rather than severe offence (e.g., 'You've got some cheek!').
Frequency
The physical sense is equally frequent. The figurative sense has higher frequency in UK English corpora.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have the cheek to do somethinggive somebody cheekkiss somebody on the cheekVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “turn the other cheek”
- “cheek by jowl”
- “tongue in cheek”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except figuratively in informal contexts (e.g., 'He had the cheek to ask for a raise after that performance.').
Academic
Almost exclusively the anatomical term.
Everyday
Very common for both the physical face part and for describing mild insolence.
Technical
Anatomy/Medicine: 'buccal' is the more technical term.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Don't you cheek your mother!
- The pupil was reprimanded for cheeking the teacher.
American English
- He got in trouble for cheeking the principal.
- You shouldn't cheek your elders.
adverb
British English
- He smiled cheekily.
- She answered cheekily.
American English
- He winked cheekily.
- She replied cheekily.
adjective
British English
- He's a cheeky beggar.
- She gave me a cheeky grin.
American English
- That was a cheeky move.
- He's known for his cheeky remarks.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby has red cheeks.
- She kissed her son on the cheek.
- It's rude to talk with food in your cheek.
- He had the cheek to ask for more money.
- They danced cheek to cheek.
- Her cheeks were wet with tears.
- I admire your cheek, asking for a day off after arriving late!
- The comment was made tongue in cheek, not seriously.
- The old houses stood cheek by jowl along the narrow street.
- His latest proposal displays an astonishing cheek, given his previous failures.
- The politician's cheeky response disarmed the hostile interviewer.
- The artist captured the subtle hollows of the model's cheeks perfectly.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CHICK pecking your CHEEK – it's both a physical touch and a cheeky (bold) act.
Conceptual Metaphor
IMPORTANCE IS SIZE / BOLDNESS IS PHYSICAL EXPOSURE (e.g., 'What a cheek!' implying something oversized or protruding).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'щека' (physical cheek) when the figurative meaning is intended. The Russian 'наглость' or 'дерзость' is a closer match for the 'impudence' sense.
- The phrase 'cheek to cheek' dancing is not directly translatable as 'щека к щеке' in Russian; it's a specific cultural reference.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'cheek' to mean 'chin' (e.g., 'He cut his cheek' ≠ 'He cut his chin').
- Overusing the figurative sense in formal writing.
Practice
Quiz
What does 'cheek by jowl' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. It can be used affectionately or admiringly (e.g., 'I love her cheek!' meaning her bold, spirited attitude).
Yes, but it's less common and chiefly British. It means to speak impertinently to someone (e.g., 'He cheeked the officer').
They are very similar synonyms for impudence. 'Cheek' is more common in UK English and can sound slightly less harsh. 'Nerve' (as in 'He's got a nerve!') is strong in both varieties.
The fleshy area on the side of the face below the eye and between the nose/temple and the jaw/ear.
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A1 · 49 words · Parts of the body and basic health vocabulary.
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