cheeks

IPA/tʃiːk/
KK[tʃˈiks]IPA/tʃiːk/

cheeks — noun

  • cheekssingular
  • cheeksesplural

1. one of the two soft, rounded areas of skin on the sides of a person's face, loca

1.nounA1
Definition

one of the two soft, rounded areas of skin on the sides of a person's face, located below the eyes and beside the mouth

Example

Yuna's cheeks turned bright red when everyone looked at her.

cheeks + colour-change collocation (turn/go red)

Minh kissed his grandmother lightly on both cheeks before leaving.

Common collocations
  • rosy cheeks
  • hollow cheeks
  • flush in the cheeks
  • kiss on the cheek
  • cheek bone
  • pinch someone's cheek
Synonyms
  • face

    much broader term; 'face' includes eyes, nose, mouth, chin and forehead as well as the cheeks

  • jowl

    refers to the lower, fleshy part of the cheek or jaw area, often implying sagging skin

Grammar Patterns

plural: cheeks; singular: a cheek

Usage Note

Often used in the plural because people naturally refer to both sides of the face at once. Common descriptive partners include 'flushed', 'rosy', 'hollow', or 'pale'.

Common Mistakes

She has a red cheek' (for a single incident of blushing).
Her cheeks turned red.
For blushing or flushing, the plural is almost always used.

2. bold or impolite behaviour shown in speech or actions, especially toward someone

2.nounB2
Definition

bold or impolite behaviour shown in speech or actions, especially toward someone older or in a position of authority

Example

First she arrived late, and then she had the cheek to blame the traffic.

have the cheek + to-infinitive — expressing disapproval of boldness

The teacher warned Hari that his cheek would not be tolerated in class.

Common collocations
  • have the cheek
  • what a cheek
  • of all the cheek
  • with cheek
Synonyms
  • impudence

    more formal register; 'cheek' is the everyday informal word

  • nerve

    very similar in meaning and register; 'nerve' emphasises surprising confidence, while 'cheek' emphasises disrespect

  • rudeness

    broader term covering any discourteous behaviour, not just bold or disrespectful talk

Antonyms
  • politeness

    behaviour showing respect and good manners

  • respect

    the opposite of showing rude disregard for authority

Grammar Patterns

have the cheek to do something

what a cheek

Usage Note

Uncountable in most contexts — do not use plural 'cheeks' for this sense. The fixed exclamation 'what a cheek!' is an exception that uses 'a cheek'; avoid 'a cheek' in other contexts. The phrase 'have the cheek to do something' is the most common pattern, always carrying a disapproving tone.

Common Mistakes

He said it with a cheek.
He said it with cheek.
'cheek' is uncountable here; do not add 'a'.

3. one of the two rounded fleshy parts that form the back area of the body you sit

3.nounB2
Definition

one of the two rounded fleshy parts that form the back area of the body you sit on

Example

Tendai slipped on the wet floor and landed hard on his right cheek.

countable: a left/right cheek (each half of the buttocks)

The toddler's nappy was too small and left red marks on her chubby cheeks.

Common collocations
  • left cheek
  • right cheek
  • cheek of the buttock
Synonyms
  • buttock

    the formal, anatomical term

  • bottom

    a neutral everyday word covering both cheeks together

  • backside

    informal, similar register to 'cheek'

Grammar Patterns

usually plural: cheeks; singular: a cheek

Usage Note

Less common than the FACE PART sense. In medical contexts 'buttock' is preferred; 'cheek' is the everyday informal word. The singular form is used when referring specifically to one side.

Common Mistakes

I sat on my cheek for too long.' (ambiguous).
I sat on one cheek for too long.
to avoid confusion with the face sense, clarify which meaning you intend.
Idioms

turn the other cheek

idiom

to choose not to fight back or seek revenge when someone harms or insults you, especially in a situation where retaliation would be expected

When the other driver shouted insults, Tariq turned the other cheek and drove away calmly.

The manager told her team that sometimes the best response is to turn the other cheek rather than argue.

tongue in cheek

idiom

said or done in a humorous or ironic way, not intended to be taken seriously

The article was written tongue in cheek, but many readers thought the author was serious.

Hannah's comment about moving to Antarctica was tongue in cheek, but her friends pretended to believe her.

cheek by jowl

idiom

very close together, with little or no space between people or things

In the crowded market, strangers stood cheek by jowl as they pushed through the narrow aisles.

The two apartment buildings were built cheek by jowl, leaving almost no gap between them.

cheeks — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Cheek' refers specifically to the soft area of skin on the side of the face between the nose and the ear. 'Face' is a much broader term covering the entire front of the head, including the eyes, nose, mouth, chin, and cheeks — you would say 'she has a kind face', not 'she has a kind cheek'. 'Jowl' describes the lower, fleshy part of the cheek that may droop or sag with age; it is less common in everyday speech. Use 'cheek' when you want to talk about blushing, kissing, tears, or the specific side of the face, and 'face' for general appearance, expressions, or identity.

cheek ↗face ↗jowl

Common collocations

Nouns

  • cheek muscle
  • cheek area

Phrases

Prepositions

  • on the cheek
  • in the cheek

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word comes from Old English 'cēace' or 'cēace', which originally meant 'jaw' or 'jawbone'. Over several centuries its meaning shifted upward and outward to refer to the fleshy side of the face below the eye. The sense of 'rude behaviour' developed in the early 1800s, probably from the idea of using one's jaw to talk back disrespectfully. The buttock sense appeared in the mid-1800s, possibly by analogy with the paired shape of the facial cheeks.

First known use

1840

1840, in the meaning defined above