cheeky
Saucily disrespectful but charming
Cheeky describes behavior that's slightly disrespectful but in a playful or endearing way—boldness with a wink.
A cheeky remark pushes boundaries without truly offending.
A cheeky grin suggests mischief.
The word is more common in British English, where it often carries affection: a cheeky little pub, a cheeky pint after work.
In American usage, cheeky tends toward flirtatious or sassily confident.
Rudely presumptuous
- insolentBoldly rude and disrespectful
- disrespectfulShowing lack of regard
- brazenShamelessly bold
- saucyBoldly disrespectful, often playfully
flippant · presumptuous · audacious · mouthy · lippy · backtalk · smart-aleck · wisecrack
Playfully causing trouble
- teasingPlayful, mild ridicule
- impishPlayfully mischievous in manner
- roguishMischievously charming
- puckishWhimsically inclined to tease
waggish · sly · prankish · naughty · lighthearted · whimsical · frolicsome · jesting
Affectedly modest
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
- risqueBordering on improper
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
- forwardOnward in direction
saucy · racy · titillating · teasing · daring · seductive · bawdy · come-hither
impertinent
Rudely presumptuous
- insolentBoldly rude and disrespectful
- disrespectfulShowing lack of regard
- brazenShamelessly bold
saucy · flippant · presumptuous · audacious · mouthy · lippy · backtalk · smart-aleck · wisecrack · fresh
mischievous
Playfully causing trouble
puckish · waggish · sly · prankish · naughty · lighthearted · whimsical · frolicsome · jesting · bantering
coy
Affectedly modest
- suggestiveHinting at impropriety
- risqueBordering on improper
- provocativeMeant to provoke response
forward · saucy · racy · titillating · teasing · daring · seductive · bawdy · come-hither · innuendo
chancer
Unscrupulous risk-taker
scallywag · rapscallion · minx · gall · nerve · brass · audacity · scamp · little devil · tyke
snarky
Mockingly critical in tone
- sardonicGrimly mocking
- quippyGiven to witty remarks
- sharp-tonguedGiven to cutting remarks
clever · wry · droll · ironic · satirical · dry · deadpan · biting · acerbic · quick-witted
- mischievousimpish, sly, prankster, roguish, playful
- slang traitsbossy, brainy, bubbly, chatty, chill
- wisecrackerssmart aleck, smartass, smartmouth, smartypants, wisecracker
- humorjoke, jokes, joking, comedy, comic
- British Englishaluminium, aubergine, behaviour, biscuit, bonnet
- Britishismsbloke, blimey, bloody, cheers, loo
cheekyrespectful
Showing proper regard
deferential · polite · humble · reverent · courteous
- turn the other cheekRefuse to retaliate
- tongue in cheekHumorously insincere manner
- cheek to jowlIn very close proximity
- chubby cheeksFull, rounded face sides
- cheek to cheekWith faces touching
- red cheeks
cheek, cheeks, cheekily, cheekiness, cheekier, cheekiest, cheekies, cheeky monkey