cheekycheek‧y /ˈtʃiːki/ adjective British English 
You did that on purpose, you cheeky little devil! Now don’t be cheeky to your elders, young woman. a chubby five-year-old with a cheeky grin► see thesaurus at rude—cheekily adverb: He grinned cheekily.—cheekiness noun [uncountable]
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- I don't like teaching that class - the kids are all so cheeky.
- What do you mean, I'm fat? You cheeky devil!
- And doesn't she look cheeky in those figure-hugging pants.
- Behind his fabulous trumpet playing and cheeky alleged humour there's an intelligent, alert, artful mind at work.
- He tried talking but the teachers wouldn't listen and thought he was repeating words like a parrot or just being cheeky.
- In the morning she had poached a short and cheeky interview with the woman just elected to head the Conservative Party.
- The cheeky thieves replaced the photos with a Dot Cotton ashtray.
- The anger that once greeted Clinton from opponents, and the cheeky irreverence even from sympathizers, may be receding.
- The smile that launched a career Fans of television presenter Michaela Strachan love her famous cheeky grin.
THESAURUS
not following the rules of good social behaviour or treating other people with a lack of respect: · It’s rude to interrupt.· He’s the rudest man I’ve ever met.· rude remarks about her stomach
not following the rules of good social behaviour. Impolite sounds rather formal: · It is impolite to stare.· It’s not polite to talk with your mouth full of food.
British English, smart/sassy American English behaving in a way that is a little rude, especially when this is amusing or annoying – used especially about children: · a cheeky grin· Let go, you cheeky monkey (=cheeky child)!· Don’t get smart with me!
saying things that are likely to upset or embarrass someone, without intending to: · a tactless remark· How could you be so tactless?
speaking or behaving in a way that is likely to upset or offend someone: · His remarks are offensive to African-Americans.· offensive language
speaking or behaving in a way that is very rude and offensive to someone: · comments that are insulting to women· The article was full of insulting language.
formal rather rude. Discourteous sounds very formal and is often used when talking about being careful not to upset someone’s feelings: · He did not wish to appear discourteous towards his host.· It would seem discourteous to refuse her offer.
(also bad-mannered) especially written behaving in a rude way, especially because you have never been taught how to behave politely: · Ill-mannered movie-goers talked throughout the entire picture.· It was very bad-mannered.
not showing the proper respect for someone or something: · I felt her comments were disrespectful to all the people who have worked so hard on this project.
formal not showing a proper respect for someone, especially by asking or talking about subjects that you do not have a right to know about: · an impertinent question about his private life· an impertinent young man· Would it be impertinent to ask how old you are?
formal behaving in a way that is deliberately very rude to someone in authority: · The girl’s only response was an insolent stare.· Don’t be so insolent!
formal rude, and having no respect for people who are older or more important: · The boy gave an impudent smile.
showing a lack of respect for someone or something who people are supposed to respect – used especially about comedy programmes and newspaper articles: · an irreverent look at the week’s events· his irreverent sense of humour
Longman Language Activatorwhen someone is rude to teachers, parents etc rude, especially towards someone you should respect, for example your parents or someone in authority: · A letter from the school arrived, saying that Joey had been both disobedient and disrespectful.disrespectful to: · In Chinese culture, it is considered disrespectful to both the living and the dead to live near a burial ground.disrespectful about British: · He thought I was being disrespectful about his country.it is disrespectful (for somebody) to do something: · Some older people think it disrespectful for strangers to call them by their first name.
British making rude remarks to or asking personal questions of someone you should respect - use this especially about children: · I don't like teaching that class - the kids are all so cheeky.· What do you mean, I'm fat? You cheeky devil!
rude and showing no respect for someone in authority, especially by saying things or asking questions about something that it is not your right to know or discuss: · By now he had gotten used to reporters' impertinent questions about his private life.· Could I ask how old you are, or would that be impertinent?
formal someone who is impudent , especially a child or young person, is rude and has no respect for people who are older or more important: · She didn't think the child's questions were endearing -- just impudent.· On the cover was a picture on an impudent boy sticking out his tongue.
formal very rude to someone in authority and appearing to have no respect for them, especially by not doing what they tell you to do: · Although she didn't actually say anything offensive, her expression was sulky, insolent, and hostile.
American if a young person is sassy , they are not polite to teachers, parents, or other people in authority, especially because they argue or try to be funny when someone tells them what to do: · She was sassy and smart, and all the kids liked her.· Becky was a sassy, rambunctious New York girl he'd met when visiting his aunt.· a sassy brat
to offend or behave in a rude way towards someone: · The ambassador said it had not been his intention to disrespect the US government.· Some students do feel that teachers disrespect them.
spoken informal to criticize someone rudely: · Just don't diss my little brother, OK?· Politicians are always dissing football supporters.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY You did that on purpose, you cheeky little devil! a chubby five-year-old with a cheeky grinCOLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
You did that on purpose, you cheeky little devil! a chubby five-year-old with a cheeky grin· The smile that launched a career Fans of television presenter Michaela Strachan love her famous cheeky grin.· But her mouth twitched in reply to his cheeky grin, and she sighed, visibly letting go some of her tension.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
rude or disrespectful, sometimes in a way that is amusingcheeky devil/monkey etc- I've been stood out there ages! - Anyway, why aren't you dressed yet, you lazy beggar?
You did that on purpose, you cheeky little devil! Now don’t be cheeky to your elders, young woman. a chubby five-year-old with a cheeky grin► see thesaurus at rude—cheekily adverb: He grinned cheekily.—cheekiness noun [uncountable]