adj
saucy
SAW-sih
Saucy (adj) means Cheeky or disrespectful in a way that comes across as playful or amusing rather than genuinely rude. Example: “The kid gave a saucy grin before running off with the last cookie.”
adj
1
Cheeky or disrespectful in a way that comes across as playful or amusing rather than genuinely rude.
"The kid gave a saucy grin before running off with the last cookie."
"She fired back a saucy reply that had the whole room laughing."
2
Mildly flirtatious or suggestive.
"The advert had a saucy tagline that got people talking."
How to use saucy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCheeky, bold, or a little flirtatious, in a way that's usually entertaining rather than offensive.
When to use it
Informal, and mostly British in everyday use.
Common pairings
a saucy remark
a saucy grin
saucy humour
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like saucy.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- saucier
- Superlative
- sauciest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The kid gave a _____ grin before running off with the last cookie.
Etymology
From "sauce" plus the adjective ending "-y" — someone "saucy" has a bit of spice or bite to their manner.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for saucy
See all rhymes for saucy →Frequently asked questions
What does “saucy” mean?
The word “saucy” means cheeky or disrespectful in a way that comes across as playful or amusing rather than genuinely rude. In plain terms, cheeky, bold, or a little flirtatious, in a way that's usually entertaining rather than offensive.
How do you pronounce “saucy”?
“Saucy” is pronounced SAW-sih (/ˈsɔ.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “saucy” in a sentence?
Here is “saucy” used in a sentence: “The kid gave a saucy grin before running off with the last cookie.”
What part of speech is “saucy”?
“Saucy” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “saucy” have?
“Saucy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: cheeky or disrespectful in a way that comes across as playful or amusing rather than genuinely rude.
