What does cheekily mean?
Cheekily is an adverb meaning in a playful, boldly impudent manner. It describes actions or remarks that push past ordinary politeness but stop short of genuine rudeness — the kind of behavior that makes people laugh or shake their heads fondly rather than take offense. Someone who cheekily grabs the last slice of pizza, answers back to a teacher with a witty retort, or winks at a stranger across a formal dinner is being mischievous and slightly irreverent, yet in a way that is typically perceived as endearing. The word derives from "cheek," in its extended sense of impertinence, plus the adjective-forming suffix -y and the adverbial suffix -ly. It is common in both British and American English, though it carries particular everyday warmth in British usage. Cheekily is informal to neutral in tone and almost always conveys affectionate amusement rather than disapproval.
adverbIn a cheeky manner; playfully or impudently irreverent, often in a way that is amusing rather than seriously disrespectful.
- In a playfully bold or impudent manner, showing irreverence that is more charming than offensive.
"She cheekily helped herself to the last biscuit before anyone else could reach the plate."
"He cheekily asked the interviewer if he could skip straight to the salary negotiation."
"The cat cheekily batted the ornament off the shelf as we watched."
That little adverb "cheekily" lets you be rude and adorable at exactly the same time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cheekily
The word traces to "cheek," from Old English "cēace," meaning the side of the face. From the literal sense developed the figurative sense of "cheek" as impertinence or insolence, attested from around the early nineteenth century in British English. Adding the adjective suffix -y produced "cheeky," meaning impudent in a playful way, which in turn took the standard adverbial suffix -ly to form "cheekily." Cognate forms of "cheek" appear in other Germanic languages, reflecting its Old English roots.
Related word forms
How cheekily is actually used
Informal to neutral in register. The connotation is affectionate rather than critical: behavior described as cheekily done is usually forgivable, even endearing, because it is playful rather than genuinely rude. Common in British English especially, where "cheeky" is an everyday term of mild reproach with warmth.
Easily confused with cheekily
"Chicly" means in a stylish or elegant fashion, while "cheekily" means in a playfully impudent way — they sound similar but are unrelated in meaning.