Standard Lemma guide

cheekiness

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈt͡ʃiːkinəs/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

the state of being cheeky

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: crust, gall, impertinence, impudence, insolence, freshness

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: discourtesy, rudeness

Narrower terms: chutzpa, chutzpah, hutzpah

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English cheeky Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English cheekiness From cheeky + -ness.