Definition

Noun: 1. The quality of being impudently bold or disrespectful: Cheekiness refers to behavior that is rudely confident, showing a lack of respect or proper manners, often in a playful or audacious way. 2. The trait of being impertinent and inclined to take liberties: It describes a characteristic of someone who oversteps normal boundaries of politeness or deference, often with a sense of boldness.

Usage

Cheekiness is used to describe a person's attitude or specific actions that are boldly disrespectful or irreverent, often with a connotation of audacity rather than malice. It is frequently used in informal contexts.

Examples

• The child's cheekiness in talking back to the teacher got him sent to the principal's office.
• I was surprised by the waiter's cheekiness when he joked about my order.
• Her cheekiness sometimes charms people, but other times it offends them.

Advanced Usage

• "To have the cheekiness to do something": This phrase emphasizes the audacity required to perform a specific bold or rude action.
  • He had the cheekiness to ask for a raise on his first day of work.

Variants and Related Words

• Cheeky (adj): Having or showing cheekiness.
  • That was a cheeky remark.
• Cheek (n, informal): Boldness or impudence, often used in phrases like "have the cheek to..."
  • He's got a lot of cheek to complain.

Synonyms

• Impudence: Insolent disrespect.
• Impertinence: Lack of respect; rudeness.
• Insolence: Audaciously rude or disrespectful behavior.
• Sauciness (informal): Cheekiness, especially in a lively, bold way.
• Audacity: Willingness to take bold risks, which can overlap with cheekiness when referring to disrespectful boldness.

Antonyms

• Politeness
• Respectfulness
• Deference
• Diffidence

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Cheek by jowl": This idiom means very close together. It is related etymologically (referring to physical cheeks) but is not a direct expression of the trait of cheekiness.
  • The houses stood cheek by jowl in the old part of the city.

Noun

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