cheek
cheek
Cheek (noun) means the soft, fleshy part on either side of the face, below the eye. Example: “The baby had a smear of porridge on her left cheek.”
noun
1
The soft, fleshy part on either side of the face, below the eye.
"The baby had a smear of porridge on her left cheek."
"She kissed him on the cheek."
"His cheeks turned red from the cold."
2
Bold or disrespectful speech; impudence, especially in a way that's more cheeky than offensive.
"It takes a lot of cheek to turn up late and demand the best seat."
"Of all the cheek! She borrowed my coat without asking and returned it muddy."
"He had the cheek to ask for a raise after being late all week."
verb
1
To speak to someone in a bold, disrespectful way.
"The pupil got a detention for cheeking the teacher in front of the class."
"My little brother cheeked our grandmother, and she gave him a stern look."
"Don't cheek me, young man."
How to use cheek
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe side of your face — or, informally, a bit of nerve or sass in how someone talks.
When to use it
"Cheek" meaning impudence is mainly British/Commonwealth usage.
Common pairings
have the cheek to
turn the other cheek
rosy cheeks
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Word forms
- Plural
- cheeks
- Third person singular
- cheeks
- Past tense
- cheeked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The baby had a smear of porridge on her left _____.
Etymology
From Old English ceace/ceoce, meaning "cheek" or "jaw", related to Dutch kaak and German Kiefer-type words for jaw.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for cheek
See all rhymes for cheek →Frequently asked questions
What does “cheek” mean?
The word “cheek” means the soft, fleshy part on either side of the face, below the eye. In plain terms, the side of your face — or, informally, a bit of nerve or sass in how someone talks.
How do you pronounce “cheek”?
“Cheek” is pronounced cheek (/t͡ʃiːk/ in IPA).
How do you use “cheek” in a sentence?
Here is “cheek” used in a sentence: “She kissed him on the cheek.”
What part of speech is “cheek”?
Depending on how it is used, “cheek” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cheek” come from?
The word “cheek” comes from Old English. From Old English ceace/ceoce, meaning "cheek" or "jaw", related to Dutch kaak and German Kiefer-type words for jaw.
Is “cheek” a common word?
“Cheek” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “cheek” have?
“Cheek” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the soft, fleshy part on either side of the face, below the eye.
Is "cheek" meaning rudeness formal or informal?
In the sense of bold or disrespectful speech, "cheek" is informal and chiefly British. It suggests impudence that is more cheeky or nervy than seriously offensive, as in "that's enough of your cheek."
What is the difference between "cheek" and "nerve"?
Both can describe bold or brazen behaviour, but "cheek" leans towards playful impudence, while "nerve" often suggests a more shocking boldness. Saying someone "has a nerve" tends to sound stronger than saying they "have a cheek."
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