cheeky
gb/t͡ʃˈiki/ us/t͡ʃˈiki/
B2
Inglês
Aceções
0 aceções
adjective
informal
B2
property
1
rudely disrespectful in a bold way
rude in a confident way
Padrão de uso:
be cheeky (to/with) [someone]
Erro comum:
Don’t confuse cheeky (rude/impolite) with cheek (the part of your face).
Sinónimos
impudent (more formal and clearly disrespectful)
|
rude (more general; not necessarily bold or playful)
|
sassy (often playful, especially about children)
Antónimos
polite (shows good manners and respect)
|
respectful (shows consideration for authority or others)
Colocações
a cheeky remark
|a cheeky comment
|a cheeky answer
|a cheeky kid
|a cheeky child
|a cheeky question
|a cheeky tone
|quite cheeky
|a bit cheeky
|cheeky to the teacher
Temas
social
|communication
|emotions
Exemplos
- Don’t be cheeky—answer properly.
- He got cheeky with the cashier and was asked to leave.
- That’s a cheeky question to ask your boss.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- Please don’t be cheeky.
- The boy was cheeky to his teacher.
adjective
informal
B2
property
2
playfully bold and teasing
a little rude but funny
Padrão de uso:
[a] cheeky [smile/grin/joke]
Erro comum:
Cheeky can be positive (playful) or negative (rude); context and tone decide.
Sinónimos
playful (not necessarily rude or disrespectful)
|
teasing (focuses on joking at someone)
|
cheeky (implies boldness and mild rudeness for effect)
Antónimos
serious (not joking or playful)
|
earnest (sincere rather than teasing)
Colocações
a cheeky grin
|a cheeky smile
|a cheeky joke
|a cheeky wink
|a cheeky message
|a cheeky caption
|a cheeky sense of humour
|a cheeky laugh
|a cheeky look
|a cheeky line
Temas
social
|humor
|communication
Exemplos
- She gave him a cheeky grin and walked away.
- He made a cheeky joke, but everyone laughed.
- The ad has a cheeky sense of humor.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- He smiled with a cheeky grin.
adjective
informal
B2
abstract
3
slightly naughty extra treat
a small extra treat you shouldn’t really have
Padrão de uso:
a cheeky [drink/pint/snack/nap]
Erro comum:
This use is especially common in British English; it can sound odd in very formal writing.
Sinónimos
naughty (stronger and more moral/judgmental)
|
indulgent (focuses on treating yourself, not on breaking rules)
Antónimos
responsible (following the plan or rules)
|
disciplined (showing self-control; not indulging)
Colocações
a cheeky pint
|a cheeky drink
|a cheeky snack
|a cheeky takeaway
|a cheeky dessert
|a cheeky nap
|a cheeky cigarette
|a cheeky weekend away
|a cheeky extra
|a cheeky treat
Temas
daily_life
|food_and_drink
|leisure
Exemplos
- We went for a cheeky pint after work.
- I had a cheeky slice of cake even though I’m dieting.
- Let’s take a cheeky break before the next meeting.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- I had a cheeky snack.
adjective
informal
B2
property
4
sassy and mischievous (especially a child)
a little rude and playful (about a child)
Padrão de uso:
a cheeky [boy/girl/child]
Erro comum:
With children, cheeky is often affectionate; with adults it can sound more critical.
Sinónimos
sassy (often modern and playful; common for kids)
|
mischievous (focuses more on playful trouble than rudeness)
Antónimos
well-behaved (behaving properly and politely)
|
obedient (doing what you are told without arguing)
Colocações
a cheeky little boy
|a cheeky little girl
|a cheeky little thing
|a cheeky youngster
|cheeky behavior
|cheeky backchat
|cheeky to adults
|a cheeky face
|a cheeky laugh
|a cheeky answer
Temas
family
|social
|behavior
Exemplos
- She’s a cheeky little thing, always talking back.
- The cheeky boy stuck his tongue out at his sister.
- He gave his mum a cheeky answer and then laughed.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- The child is cheeky.
adjective
informal
C1
property
5
slightly sexually suggestive, not explicit
a little sexy in a playful way
Padrão de uso:
a cheeky [photo/joke/ad]
Erro comum:
Cheeky here usually means suggestive, not necessarily offensive; avoid in formal contexts.
Sinónimos
suggestive (more neutral and direct; less playful)
|
risqué (often more daring and more formal)
Antónimos
wholesome (not sexual or suggestive)
|
proper (socially correct and not suggestive)
Colocações
a cheeky photo
|a cheeky joke
|a cheeky ad
|a cheeky calendar
|a cheeky outfit
|a cheeky text
|a cheeky comment
|a cheeky wink
|a cheeky caption
|a cheeky message
Temas
media
|humor
|relationships
Exemplos
- The film is funny, with a few cheeky jokes.
- He sent a cheeky message that made her blush.
- The brand’s cheeky ads are meant to be playful, not offensive.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- He made a cheeky joke.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
cheeky
IPA
GB/t͡ʃˈiki/
US/t͡ʃˈiki/
Sílabas e acento
cheeky (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (cheeky)
Formas da palavra
Adjective
- Base: cheeky
- Comparative: cheekier
- Superlative: cheekiest
Família de palavras
Forms
cheekier
adjective
cheekiest
adjective
Core family
Expressões
a cheeky one
1/ə t͡ʃˈiki wˈʌn/
fixed phrase
informal
a quick extra drink/treat
a quick extra drink or treat
Exemplos
- 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.
cheeky bastard
1/t͡ʃˈiki bˈæstɚd/
fixed phrase
vulgar
strong insult for a cheeky person
a very rude way to call someone cheeky
Exemplos
- 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
1/t͡ʃˈiki bˈʌɡɚ/
fixed phrase
slang
mildly rude person (BrE)
a cheeky person (can be rude)
Exemplos
- 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
1/t͡ʃˈiki mˈʌŋki/
fixed phrase
informal
a playfully rude child
A child or person who is a bit rude or naughty in a funny or cute way, usually said with affection.
Exemplos
- You cheeky monkey, you ate the last piece of cake!
- She called him a cheeky monkey when he copied her accent.
cheeky monkey
1/t͡ʃˈiki mˈʌŋki/
fixed phrase
informal
playful term for a cheeky person
a playful name for someone being cheeky
Exemplos
- 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.
don't get cheeky!
1/dˈoʊnt ɡˈɛt t͡ʃˈiki ‖/
fixed phrase
informal
warning someone to stop being rude
Stop being rude!
Exemplos
- 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.
get cheeky (with someone)
1/ɡˈɛt t͡ʃˈiki wˈɪθ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
informal
start talking rudely to someone
to start being rude to someone
Exemplos
- 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.