cheek

noun
\ ˈchēk How to pronounce cheek (audio) \

Definition of cheek

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the fleshy side of the face below the eye and above and to the side of the mouth broadly : the lateral aspect of the head
2 : something suggestive of the human cheek in position or form especially : one of two laterally paired parts
3 : insolent boldness and self-assurance

cheek

verb
cheeked; cheeking; cheeks

Definition of cheek (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

chiefly British
: to speak rudely or impudently to

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Other Words from cheek

Noun

cheekful \ ˈchēk-​ˌfu̇l How to pronounce cheekful (audio) \ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for cheek

Noun

temerity, audacity, hardihood, effrontery, nerve, cheek, gall, chutzpah mean conspicuous or flagrant boldness. temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger. had the temerity to refuse audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence. an entrepreneur with audacity and vision hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance. admired for her hardihood effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy. outraged at his effrontery nerve, cheek, gall, and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery. the nerve of that guy has the cheek to call herself a singer had the gall to demand proof the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

Examples of cheek in a Sentence

Noun

He kissed her on the cheek. He's got a cheek ignoring us like that.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The story takes place in one of the city’s public housing complexes, where a majority of the population still live today, cheek-by-jowl in micro apartments—amplifying the feelings of suffocation and despondence. Isabella Steger, Quartzy, "Six films to watch to understand what’s happening in Hong Kong," 24 July 2019 Before the American Music Awards began in 2011, Justin gave Selena a sweet smooch on the cheek. Stacey Grant, Seventeen, "17 Times Couples Weren't Afraid to Show PDA on the Red Carpet," 19 July 2019 Her fans, known as Little Monsters, can buy kits containing color for cheeks, eyes and lips in six shade collections. SFChronicle.com, "Mariott fights fine; Lady Gaga’s cosmetics line; women’s programs get grants," 10 July 2019 The city women finish their last beers, kiss men on the cheek and step out into the cold night, the street awash in pale moonlight and littered with cigarette butts. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column One: For lonely men in Spanish towns, the ‘caravan of women’ brings hope of love," 14 May 2019 Middleton arrived to the event after Markle and greeted her with a hug and what might even be a kiss on the cheek. Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton Hugged Today, Just FYI," 11 Mar. 2019 In the pic, North West cuddles up to Kanye West and gives her smiling dad a kiss on the cheek. Andrea Park, Allure, "Kim Kardashian Is Getting Mom-Shamed Again for Straightening North West’s Hair," 24 July 2018 Lamas has a cut on the cheek as a result of an accidental headbutt. Todd Martin, latimes.com, "Ricardo Lamas vs. Mirsad Bektic live round-by-round coverage," 10 June 2018 Cheryl Estes clutched the handmade box holding her late son’s sheet music to her heart, pressed her cheek to the polished wood and cried. Peggy O’hare, ExpressNews.com, "Grieving relatives of fire victims beg for answers, push for bigger reward," 21 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Hides from cows, which are lower quality than those of steers, have fallen to only about 5% of the value of all byproducts — worth less than tongues and cheek meat. Los Angeles Times, "America is obsessed with beef. But it has no use for hides, so leather prices plunge," 19 Aug. 2019 Hides from cows, which are lower quality than those of steers, have fallen to only about 5% of the value of all byproducts—worth less than tongues and cheek meat. Lydia Mulvany, Fortune, "There’s a Cowhide Glut, As Americans Devour Beef and Leather Falls Out of Fashion," 9 Aug. 2019 Three years later, with apartment buildings now cheek-by-jowl with the club, those same residents, joined by dozens more, raised concerns in emails and public meetings about potential noise from the roof. Alan Neuhauser, Washington Post, "A D.C. strip club reopens to a changed neighborhood — of high-end condos and artisanal toast," 25 June 2018 Called Casting Couch, the piece depicts a paunchy, stubble-cheeked Weinstein seated on a chaise lounge in silk pajamas. Gwynedd Stuart, Los Angeles Magazine, "How That Sculpture of Harvey Weinstein That Was Planted in Hollywood Got Made," 4 Apr. 2018 The soldiers were hollow-cheeked and drenched in sweat despite the sub-zero temperatures and the bitter wind in Paju, just 10 miles from South Korea's border with the North. Mac William Bishop, NBC News, "North Korean ex-assassin recalls 1968: ‘The year that mattered most’," 26 Jan. 2018 Lydia was played by Winona Ryder, then an apple-cheeked 17-year-old in one of her first-ever movie roles, the beginning of Ryder's reign as the poster child of offbeat rebellion. Nojan Aminosharei, Harper's BAZAAR, "Beetlejuice's Sophia Anne Caruso Is Bringing Goth to Broadway," 17 Apr. 2019 Three years later, with apartment buildings now cheek-by-jowl with the club, those same residents, joined by dozens more, raised concerns in emails and public meetings about potential noise from the roof. Alan Neuhauser, Washington Post, "A D.C. strip club reopens to a changed neighborhood — of high-end condos and artisanal toast," 25 June 2018 Called Casting Couch, the piece depicts a paunchy, stubble-cheeked Weinstein seated on a chaise lounge in silk pajamas. Gwynedd Stuart, Los Angeles Magazine, "How That Sculpture of Harvey Weinstein That Was Planted in Hollywood Got Made," 4 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cheek.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of cheek

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1840, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for cheek

Noun

Middle English cheke, from Old English cēace; akin to Middle Low German kāke jawbone

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More Definitions for cheek

cheek

noun

English Language Learners Definition of cheek

: the part of the face that is below the eye and to the side of the nose and mouth
British : an attitude or way of behaving that is rude and does not show proper respect
informal : one of the two parts of the body that a person sits on

cheek

noun
\ ˈchēk