cheekiness
/'tʃi:kinis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties