adj
Uncommon
cheesy
CHEE-zee
Cheesy (adj) means tasting or smelling of cheese. Example: “The nachos were loaded with a cheesy sauce.”
adj
1
Tasting or smelling of cheese.
"The nachos were loaded with a cheesy sauce."
2
Overly sentimental, corny, or of poor quality in an obvious way.
"The dialogue in that romance movie was pretty cheesy."
"It's a cheesy pickup line, but it made her laugh."
How to use cheesy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither literally cheese-flavored, or figuratively corny and over-the-top.
Common pairings
cheesy line
cheesy movie
cheesy smile
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Word forms
- Comparative
- cheesier
- Superlative
- cheesiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The nachos were loaded with a _____ sauce.
Etymology
From cheese plus the adjective suffix -y.
Related words
Rhymes for cheesy
See all rhymes for cheesy →Frequently asked questions
What does “cheesy” mean?
The word “cheesy” means tasting or smelling of cheese. In plain terms, either literally cheese-flavored, or figuratively corny and over-the-top.
How do you pronounce “cheesy”?
“Cheesy” is pronounced CHEE-zee (/ˈt͡ʃiːzi/ in IPA).
How do you use “cheesy” in a sentence?
Here is “cheesy” used in a sentence: “The nachos were loaded with a cheesy sauce.”
What part of speech is “cheesy”?
“Cheesy” is an adjective.
Is “cheesy” a common word?
“Cheesy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cheesy” have?
“Cheesy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: tasting or smelling of cheese.
What is the difference between cheesy and corny?
Cheesy and corny are close synonyms, both describing something overly sentimental or lacking sophistication, but cheesy can carry a stronger connotation of poor quality or cliché, such as in 'a cheesy pickup line' or 'cheesy special effects.' Corny leans slightly more toward simple, old-fashioned humor.
Can cheesy describe something other than taste or smell?
Yes, cheesy most commonly describes something overly sentimental, corny, or of obviously poor quality, such as a cheesy movie line or cheesy decor, rather than its literal sense of tasting or smelling of cheese. Context usually makes clear which meaning is intended.
Is calling something cheesy an insult?
Calling something cheesy is usually a mild, informal criticism suggesting it is tacky, overly sentimental, or unoriginal, but it's often used lightheartedly rather than as a harsh insult. It can even carry affectionate undertones, as in 'a cheesy but fun movie.'
