cheeky
B1Informal
Definition
Meaning
showing a lack of respect or politeness in a way that is amusing or not seriously offensive
playfully bold, impertinent, or mildly irreverent, often with a sense of humor or charm
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Typically describes actions, comments, or expressions rather than people directly (e.g., 'a cheeky grin', 'a cheeky comment'), though 'a cheeky child' is common. Implies a boundary-pushing that is more endearing than truly offensive.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Much more frequent and central in British English; in American English, it can sound somewhat British or quaint, though it is understood.
Connotations
In British English, it often carries an affectionate tone. In American English, it might be interpreted as slightly more impertinent or unfamiliar.
Frequency
High frequency in UK English across contexts; moderate to low in US English, where 'sassy' or 'impudent' might be more common for similar concepts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] cheeky to [someone][have] a cheeky [noun][give] a cheeky [smile/grin]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cheeky monkey (affectionate term for a mischievous person)”
- “cheeky half (British: a small beer)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare and inappropriate for formal criticism; may be used very informally to describe a bold proposal ('That's a bit cheeky!').
Academic
Virtually never used.
Everyday
Very common in UK English, especially regarding children, humor, or minor social transgressions.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Not standard as a verb)
American English
- (Not standard as a verb)
adverb
British English
- (Rare; 'cheekily') He cheekily asked if he could have my dessert too.
- She smiled cheekily from behind the door.
American English
- (Rare; 'cheekily') The pup cheekily stole a sock from the laundry basket.
adjective
British English
- He gave me a cheeky wink before taking the last biscuit.
- That's a cheeky request, asking for a raise after one week!
American English
- The comedian's cheeky humor appealed to the audience.
- It was cheeky of him to help himself to the drinks.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The little boy was cheeky to his teacher.
- She has a cheeky smile.
- It was a bit cheeky to ask for more cake.
- He made a cheeky comment about her new haircut.
- The advertisement used a cheeky double meaning to grab attention.
- 'Aren't you a cheeky monkey!' my aunt said when I took two sweets.
- The politician's cheeky deflection of the question impressed some but annoyed purists.
- The film is full of cheeky nods to classic Hollywood cinema.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a child puffing out their CHEEKs and saying something bold—they're being CHEEKy.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL BOUNDARIES ARE PHYSICAL SPACES ('He's pushing his luck', 'That's over the line')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'наглый' (which is more aggressively rude) or 'дерзкий' (which is more defiant). Closer to 'бесстыдный' but much milder and often positive. 'Шалун' captures the playful aspect but not the verbal impertinence.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to describe serious disrespect ('He was cheeky to the judge' – too weak). Overusing in American contexts where it might not be natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'cheeky' be LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, very often. In British English, it frequently conveys amused admiration for someone's boldness or clever irreverence, e.g., 'a cheeky advert'.
'Cheeky' implies a playful, less serious, and often charming transgression of politeness. 'Rude' is outright offensive and disrespectful with no playful connotation.
No. While often used for children, it applies to adults' behavior, comments, humor, and even products (e.g., 'a cheeky glass of wine', 'a cheeky design').
Use it with nouns like 'grin', 'smile', 'look', 'comment', 'thing', or before a description of an action: 'That was a cheeky thing to say!' or 'He had a cheeky grin on his face.'