adjective

tongue in cheek

TUNG in CHEEK

Tongue in cheek (adjective) means Meant as a joke rather than seriously, while being delivered in a straight-faced or apparently sincere way. Example: “His tongue-in-cheek guide to surviving the office Christmas party went viral.”

adjective

Meant as a joke rather than seriously, while being delivered in a straight-faced or apparently sincere way.

"His tongue-in-cheek guide to surviving the office Christmas party went viral."

"The praise was entirely tongue in cheek."

adverb

In a way that is not meant to be taken seriously.

"She said it tongue in cheek, but nobody laughed."

How to use tongue in cheek

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSaid as a joke, even though it sounds serious.

When to use it

Neutral and widely used. Hyphenated before a noun (a tongue-in-cheek review), usually open elsewhere (he was speaking tongue in cheek).

Memory tip

Tongue in cheek describes gentle, playful joking. If the intent is to wound, the word you want is sarcastic.

Easily confused with

sarcastic → deadpan → ironic →

Common pairings

tongue-in-cheek remark strictly tongue in cheek said tongue in cheek

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The praise was entirely _____.

Synonyms

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ironic facetious wry joking ironically facetiously jokingly

Antonyms

sincere earnest in earnest

Related words

bad serious seriously honest genuine kidding joking arch

Rhymes for tongue in cheek

eek week seek meek leek geek peek reek Zeek Greek cheek creek

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between tongue in cheek and sarcastic?

Both say the opposite of what is meant, but tongue in cheek is playful and good-natured, aimed at amusing rather than cutting. Sarcasm carries an edge and is usually directed at someone with the intention to mock or criticise.

What is the difference between tongue in cheek and deadpan?

Tongue in cheek describes the content — the words are not meant seriously. Deadpan describes the delivery — the face and voice give nothing away. A joke can be both, and often is.

Should tongue in cheek be hyphenated?

Hyphenate it when it modifies a noun directly, as in a tongue-in-cheek apology. Leave it unhyphenated when it follows the verb, as in the apology was tongue in cheek.

What is the meaning of tongue in cheek?

"tongue in cheek" (adjective) means meant as a joke rather than seriously, while being delivered in a straight-faced or apparently sincere way.

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bad serious seriously honest genuine kidding joking arch