cheekier; cheekiest
Synonyms of cheeky
informal
: boldly rude, impudent, or disrespectful in usually a playful or appealing way
a cheeky grin
… old-timers who still look like they could deck you if you get too cheeky.Shaun Assael
cheekily adverb
cheekiness noun

Examples of cheeky in a Sentence

a cheeky comment about something that was none of her business
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Princess Charlotte got cheeky at her parents' charity sailing race in August 2019, sticking her tongue out at her grandfather Michael Middleton (and the entire crowd in the process)! Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 2 May 2026 Spirit Airlines, the scrappy discounter that once rattled the industry with cheeky ads and rock-bottom fares, took its final flight after 34 years of upending the business of flying. Bernard Condon, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026 This spoon is a cheeky way to have your coffee in the morning. Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 1 May 2026 From cheeky shots of celebrities like Jane Fonda and Arnold Schwarzenegger to extravagant, sensual portfolios of America’s Olympic squads, the magazine’s pantheon of photographers have helped to define the genre of sports portraiture. Erika Harwood, Vanity Fair, 30 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cheeky

Word History

Etymology

see cheek entry 1

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cheeky was in 1838

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cheeky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheeky. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

cheeky

adjective
cheekier; cheekiest
informal : boldly rude or disrespectful in usually a playful way
cheekiness noun

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