Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Of very poor quality; flimsy: Used to describe something that is cheaply made, inauthentic, or lacking in style or taste.
   • Overly sentimental, clichéd, or tacky: Describes something that is excessively emotional, predictable, or trying too hard to be impressive in a way that seems insincere or low-class.

Usage and Examples

• Describing poor quality or inauthenticity:
  • The movie's special effects were so cheesy that we couldn't take it seriously.
  • He bought a cheesy souvenir from the gift shop.
• Describing something overly sentimental or tacky:
  • The love song had cheesy lyrics about hearts and roses.
  • She thought the decorations were a bit cheesy, but her friends loved them.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Cultural/Slang Context: "Cheesy" is informal and often carries a judgmental or dismissive tone. It implies something is not cool, sophisticated, or genuine.
  • That pickup line is so cheesy.
• Subjective Judgment: What one person finds cheesy, another might find charming or fun. It often relates to perceived lack of originality.
  • Some people enjoy cheesy horror movies from the 1950s.

Variants and Related Words

• Cheese (n): While primarily meaning a dairy food, in slang, "cheese" can refer to money or, as a verb ("to cheese"), to smile exaggeratedly for a photo.
• Cheesiness (n): The quality of being cheesy.
  • The cheesiness of the dialogue was part of its charm.

Synonyms

• Tacky: Showing poor taste and quality.
• Corny: Trite, banal, or mawkishly sentimental.
• Kitschy: Art or objects considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality.
• Schmaltzy: Excessively sentimental art or music.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• "Cheesy grin": A broad, often forced or silly-looking smile.
  • He gave me a cheesy grin for the camera.
• "Cheesy music": Music that is overly sentimental, predictable, or dated.
  • The elevator was playing cheesy music from the 80s.

Adjective

1. of very poor quality; flimsy