What does cheeky mean in British English? (With PDF)
Let’s take a closer look at what cheeky means and how to use it.
What does cheeky mean?
Cheeky usually describes someone who behaves in a slightly rude, bold or disrespectful way, often without being seriously offensive.
For example:
That was a cheeky question!
This means the question was a little rude or too personal — but perhaps also funny.
A cheeky person might say or do something that they probably shouldn’t, but they do it in a playful or amusing way.
Remember:
Cheeky = slightly rude or disrespectful, but often in a funny or playful way.
Examples of cheeky in sentences
Here are some common examples:
He gave me a cheeky smile.
That was a cheeky thing to say!
The children were feeling cheeky today.
She made a cheeky comment about my age.
He’s a bit cheeky, but I like him.
Imagine your friend asking:
“Can I have some of your chips?”
You say:
“No, get your own!”
But then they take one anyway and smile.
You might say:
“Oi! Cheeky!”
In this situation, you are not seriously angry. You are just ‘having a laugh’.
What our short YouTube video above to hear the pronunciation of cheeky and how it can be used in context.
How to pronounce cheeky
You can hear cheeky being said in the above video. But here is how you pronounce it phonetically with a British accent.
/ˈtʃiː.ki/
It has two syllables:
CHEE-kee
The stress is on the first syllable:
CHEE-ky
Now, you have a go!
Is cheeky a positive or negative word?
It can be both.
This is one of the reasons why English learners sometimes find the word confusing.
Cheeky can be positive
If someone is confident, playful and a little bit naughty, you might describe them as cheeky in an affectionate way.
For example:
She’s got a cheeky sense of humour.
This sounds positive.
Cheeky can also be negative
If someone is rude, disrespectful or behaves badly, cheeky can be a criticism.
For example:
Don’t be cheeky!
A parent or teacher might say this to a child who has answered back.
So, the meaning often depends on the situation and tone of voice.
Our cheeky PDF...
So, here’s a ‘cheeky’ reminder…
Cheeky is a great word to learn if you want to understand everyday British English.
It can describe someone who is:
- slightly rude
- playful
- bold
- mischievous
- funny
But remember: whether cheeky sounds positive or negative depends on the situation and the speaker’s tone.
So, if someone calls you cheeky, don’t worry too much.
It might just be a compliment!
