cheesy

/ˈtʃiːzi/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtʃiːzi/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈchē-zē/ (ame, mw)

cheesy — adjective

  • cheesypositive
  • cheesiercomparative
  • cheesiestsuperlative

1. cheap, badly made, or overly sentimental, making people cringe with embarrassmen

1.形容詞B2
釋義

cheap, badly made, or overly sentimental, making people cringe with embarrassment

例句

Yuki groaned at the cheesy special effects in the old monster movie.

collocation: cheesy special effects

The hotel lobby was full of cheesy plastic flowers and gold wallpaper.

同義詞
  • tacky

    focuses more on visual bad taste and lack of style

  • corny

    specifically about sentimentality or predictability, not poor quality

  • naff

    British informal equivalent; stronger emphasis on being unfashionable

  • kitschy

    imitates high art in a cheap or exaggerated way

反義詞

用法筆記

Frequently used to describe films, songs, jokes, décor, and gifts. Informal register — avoid in academic writing.

常見錯誤

❌This cheese is cheesy.
✅This cheese is strong.
💡'cheesy' in this sense means tacky or low-quality; it does not mean 'containing cheese.'

2. wide and put on for show, looking friendly on the surface but clearly not genuin

2.形容詞B2
釋義

wide and put on for show, looking friendly on the surface but clearly not genuine

例句

Hassan gave a cheesy grin when the boss walked past his desk.

collocation: cheesy grin

Mei could tell the salesman's cheesy smile was just part of his pitch.

同義詞
  • forced

    broader term; can describe any action done without real feeling

  • fake

    more direct and less specific to facial expressions

  • insincere

    formal equivalent; lacks the visual image of a wide grin

  • plastic

    suggests artificiality and lack of warmth

反義詞

文法句型

cheesy + smile/grin/expression

用法筆記

Almost always describes smiles, grins, smirks, or facial expressions. Distinguish from Sense 1 (TACKY AND CHEAP): this sense is about insincerity, not about poor quality or bad taste.

3. having the distinct flavour of cheese

3.形容詞B1
釋義

having the distinct flavour of cheese

例句

The sauce turned out a bit cheesy even though Camille added no dairy at all.

Nadia found the popcorn surprisingly cheesy and asked for the recipe.

pattern: find something + cheesy

同義詞
  • cheese-flavoured

    more literal and often used on food packaging

  • fromage

    rare, French-derived; used mainly in gourmet contexts

反義詞

4. giving off a strong smell like cheese, especially said of feet, socks, or old sh

4.形容詞B1
釋義

giving off a strong smell like cheese, especially said of feet, socks, or old shoes

例句

Lin kicked off his trainers and the whole room filled with a cheesy smell.

collocation: cheesy smell

The children giggled when the nurse peeled off their cheesy socks after the hike.

同義詞
  • pungent

    broader term for any strong smell, not specifically cheese-like

  • ripe

    euphemistic; used humorously for body odour

  • stinky

    more childish and less specific

反義詞

文法句型

cheesy + feet/socks/shoes

用法筆記

Often used specifically of feet, socks, or shoes. Distinguish from Sense 3 (TASTING OF CHEESE): this sense refers to smell, not taste.