cheeky
rude in a confident way
Rudely confident and lacking respect, especially toward someone in authority.
a little rude but funny
Playfully and amusingly bold or teasing, in a way that is slightly rude but meant to be funny or charming.
a small extra treat you shouldn’t really have
Used to describe a small extra thing you do or have that feels a bit naughty, indulgent, or against your plan, but not seriously wrong.
a little rude and playful (about a child)
Mischievous and bold in a way that is often amusing, especially when describing a child’s behavior.
a little sexy in a playful way
Suggesting sex or nudity in a light, humorous way without being explicit.
- Base: cheeky
- Comparative: cheekier
- Superlative: cheekiest
a cheeky one
1a quick extra drink/treat
a quick extra drink or treat
- Fancy a cheeky one before we head home?
- We stopped for a cheeky one on the way back.
- He promised to go straight home, but ended up having a cheeky one.
- Let’s have a cheeky one.
cheeky bastard
1strong insult for a cheeky person
a very rude way to call someone cheeky
- He called the referee a cheeky bastard and got sent off.
- She laughed and said, ‘You cheeky bastard,’ when he surprised her with tickets.
- Don’t call people that at work—it’s a cheeky bastard of an insult.
cheeky bugger
1mildly rude person (BrE)
a cheeky person (can be rude)
- You cheeky bugger—you knew and you didn’t tell me!
- That cheeky bugger cut in front of everyone in the queue.
- I can’t stay mad at him, the cheeky bugger.
cheeky monkey
1a playfully rude child
A child or person who is a bit rude or naughty in a funny or cute way, usually said with affection.
- You cheeky monkey, you ate the last piece of cake!
- She called him a cheeky monkey when he copied her accent.
cheeky monkey
1playful term for a cheeky person
a playful name for someone being cheeky
- You cheeky monkey—give that back!
- Stop it, you cheeky monkey, you’re making me laugh.
- He called his son a cheeky monkey for hiding the keys.
- You cheeky monkey!
don't get cheeky!
1warning someone to stop being rude
Stop being rude!
- Don’t get cheeky—just do what you’re told.
- I was only joking, but she snapped, ‘Don’t get cheeky!’
- Don’t get cheeky with the staff.
- Don’t get cheeky!
get cheeky (with someone)
1start talking rudely to someone
to start being rude to someone
- Don’t get cheeky with me—I’m trying to help.
- He got cheeky with the referee and got booked.
- She got cheeky when they told her she couldn’t come in.
- Don’t get cheeky with your teacher.