What is cheekily? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of cheekily

cheekilyadverb
một cách láo xược
/ˈtʃiːkɪli//ˈtʃiːkɪli/

Where does the word cheekily come from?

The word "cheekily" has a fascinating origin. It is an adverb that means to do something in a playful, impudent, or mischievous manner. The word is derived from the noun "cheek," meaning the skin on the side of the face, and the suffix "-ly," which forms an adverb. The word "cheekily" first appeared in the 16th century in British English. During this time, to "flaunt one's cheek" meant to be openly insolent or impudent. The adverb "cheekily" developed as a way to describe the action of doing something in a cheeky or impudent way. Over time, the meaning of "cheekily" expanded to include playful or teasing behavior, such as whispering a secret or pulling a prank on someone. Today, "cheekily" is used in many contexts, from literature to everyday conversation, to describe a wide range of behaviors that are lighthearted, playful, and perhaps a little mischievous.

Vocabulary summary cheekily

type adverb

meaning impertinent

Example of vocabulary cheekilynamespace

Sarah cheekily winked at the teacher during the exam, thinking she had gotten away with sneaking a peek at her neighbor's paper.
The store clerk cheekily grinned as she rang up the customer's purchase, noticing that they had left a few items in their cart.
The lead singer cheekily teased the audience, joking that they had better sing along to the chorus or they would be kicked out of the concert.
The chef cheekily asked the restaurant critic if he had eaten a horse before serving him their signature dish.
The bartender cheekily replied "make it a triple" when the customer insisted they didn't really need another drink.