[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/cheeky/)

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# cheeky

adjective (cheeky, cheekier, cheekiest)

«cheeky» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (informal, UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ) Cheeky means rude or not respectful, but often in a funny or playful way. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cheeky/#m1)
2. (informal, UK) A cheeky smile or grin is playful and a bit naughty. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cheeky/#m2)
3. (slang, UK) "A cheeky" something means a small treat you shouldn't really have: "a cheeky biscuit". [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cheeky/#m3)

### In the lessons

In school and home talk adults call children cheeky for answering back. In stories it shows a lively, naughty character. Phrases: cheeky monkey, cheeky grin, don't be cheeky, cheeky so-and-so.

### Examples

- Don't be cheeky to your teacher! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cheeky/#x1)
- He gave me a cheeky grin. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cheeky/#x2)
- You cheeky monkey, you ate my chips! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cheeky/#x3)
- It was cheeky of her to take the last slice. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cheeky/#x4)
- The cheeky seagull stole my sandwich. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cheeky/#x5)
- Fancy a cheeky ice cream on the way home? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cheeky/#x6)
- "Is that your homework or your dog's?" asked the cheeky boy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cheeky/#x7)
- Granny laughed at his cheeky joke. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cheeky/#x8)

### Note

Informal. Comparative: cheekier, cheekiest. Noun: cheek ("What a cheek!" = how rude). Less common in the USA, where "sassy" or "fresh" is used.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «cheeky» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/C/cheeky/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«cheeky» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/cheeky.html) on Mova free.