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

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."

Mildly flirtatious or suggestive.

"The advert had a saucy tagline that got people talking."

How to use saucy

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word forms

saucier comparative, sauciest superlative

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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.

Rhymes for saucy

Lucy

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.