cheeks
Cheeks are the soft parts of your face under your eyes and the rounded parts on your bottom.
Explanation at your level:
Your cheeks are on your face. They are under your eyes. When you are happy, your cheeks move up when you smile. You have two cheeks on your face.
The word cheeks refers to the soft parts of your face. You can touch your cheeks with your hands. Sometimes, people get red cheeks when it is cold outside or when they are shy.
While cheeks usually refers to the face, native speakers sometimes use the word to talk about the buttocks. This is informal, so be careful where you use it. Always look at the context of the sentence to understand the meaning.
The term is highly versatile. You might describe someone as having 'sun-kissed cheeks' in a literary context, or use the idiom 'tongue-in-cheek' to describe a sarcastic comment. It is a word that carries both anatomical and figurative weight.
In advanced English, cheeks appears in idiomatic expressions that convey complex social behaviors. For instance, 'turning the other cheek' implies a moral stance of non-violence. The word's dual meaning allows for clever wordplay in literature and comedy.
Historically, the etymological journey of cheeks reflects the human tendency to anthropomorphize anatomy. Its usage in literature often highlights the vulnerability of the face, contrasting with the more private, colloquial usage regarding the gluteal region. Mastery involves recognizing the subtle shift from anatomical description to social commentary.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Anatomical part of face
- Informal term for buttocks
- Used in many idioms
- Common in daily speech
When you look in the mirror, the soft areas on the sides of your face are your cheeks. We use them to show emotion, like when we smile or blush.
Interestingly, the word is also used to describe the buttocks. While this is common, it is considered informal or sometimes slightly cheeky—pun intended—depending on who you are talking to.
The word cheeks comes from the Old English word ceace, which originally referred to the jaw or the cheek itself. It shares roots with Germanic languages like Old Saxon kaka.
Over centuries, the word evolved to specifically describe the fleshy part of the face. The secondary meaning referring to the buttocks appeared much later in history as a metaphorical extension based on the rounded shape of both body parts.
In daily life, you will hear cheeks used to describe physical appearance, such as 'rosy cheeks' or 'chubby cheeks'. It is a very neutral term when referring to the face.
When referring to the lower body, the register shifts. It is casual and should be avoided in formal or professional settings to prevent sounding unprofessional or rude.
1. Turn the other cheek: To refuse to retaliate after being wronged. 2. Tongue in cheek: Saying something that is not meant to be taken seriously. 3. Cheek by jowl: Very close together. 4. Have the cheek to: To be impudent or bold. 5. Rosy-cheeked: Having a healthy, pink complexion.
The word is almost always used in the plural form because humans have two cheeks. The singular 'cheek' is used when referring to one side specifically.
Pronunciation is simple: /tʃiːks/. It rhymes with 'leeks', 'weeks', and 'peaks'. The 'ch' sound is a voiceless postalveolar affricate, common in English.
Fun Fact
The word originally referred to the jawbone area.
Pronunciation Guide
long e sound
long e sound
Common Errors
- pronouncing as 'chicks'
- shortening the e
- adding extra syllables
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
moderate
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Plural nouns
cheeks
Examples by Level
She has soft cheeks.
soft = smooth
plural noun
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He kissed her on the cheeks.
My cheeks are cold.
She has rosy cheeks.
Don't touch my cheeks!
His cheeks are round.
The baby has chubby cheeks.
I felt tears on my cheeks.
He painted his cheeks.
She spoke with her tongue in her cheek.
They were sitting cheek by jowl.
He had the cheek to ask for more money.
The cold wind made my cheeks burn.
She turned the other cheek.
His cheeks flushed with anger.
The clown painted red circles on his cheeks.
He squeezed the child's cheeks.
It was a tongue-in-cheek remark about the boss.
The two houses were built cheek by jowl.
She managed to turn the other cheek despite the insult.
His cheeks were hollow from exhaustion.
The actor had a cheeky grin on his face.
She felt the tears streaming down her cheeks.
The makeup highlighted her high cheekbones.
He had the cheek to arrive late to the meeting.
His response was delivered with a distinctly tongue-in-cheek attitude.
Living cheek by jowl in the city can be stressful.
She refused to retaliate, choosing instead to turn the other cheek.
The artist captured the hollow cheeks of the subject perfectly.
There was a certain cheek to his request for a promotion.
The chilly air brought a flush to her pale cheeks.
She wiped the dust from her cheeks.
The satire was written with a sharp, tongue-in-cheek wit.
The author's tongue-in-cheek narrative style challenged the reader's assumptions.
Despite the proximity of the apartments, living cheek by jowl, they remained strangers.
Her decision to turn the other cheek was seen as a sign of profound strength.
The portrait emphasized the gauntness of his cheeks.
He displayed remarkable cheek by interrupting the ceremony.
A faint blush crept across her cheeks.
The wind whipped against their exposed cheeks.
The irony was presented in a classic tongue-in-cheek fashion.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"tongue in cheek"
sarcastic or not serious
He made a tongue-in-cheek comment.
neutral""
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Easily Confused
similar sound
chicks are baby birds
The chicks are in the nest.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + verb + cheeks
He touched his cheeks.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
we have two, so use plural
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine your cheeks as two soft cushions.
Kissing
Cheek kissing is a greeting in many cultures.
Plural
Always use plural for the face.
Long E
Hold the E sound.
Chicks vs Cheeks
Do not confuse the two.
Biblical
The phrase is very old.
Mirror
Use a mirror to practice.
Register
Avoid informal usage in work.
Articles
Use 'the' for specific cheeks.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Cheeks are for smiles, not for files.
Visual Association
A round red apple on each side of the face.
Word Web
Challenge
Look in the mirror and touch your cheeks.
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: jaw
Cultural Context
The secondary meaning regarding buttocks is informal.
Used often to describe affection (kissing on the cheeks).
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
medical
- swollen cheeks
Conversation Starters
"Do you have rosy cheeks?"
"What does 'tongue in cheek' mean?"
"Why do we kiss on the cheeks?"
"Are your cheeks cold?"
"Do you like your cheeks?"
Journal Prompts
Describe your face.
Write about a time you were embarrassed.
Explain an idiom.
Describe a cold day.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt depends on the context.
Test Yourself
I have two ___ on my face.
cheeks are on the face
What is a synonym for rosy?
rosy means pink
Cheeks can refer to buttocks.
yes, it is informal
Word
Meaning
idiom match
subject verb adj
Score: /5
Summary
Cheeks are the soft parts of the face, but use the term carefully when referring to other body parts!
- Anatomical part of face
- Informal term for buttocks
- Used in many idioms
- Common in daily speech
Memory Palace
Imagine your cheeks as two soft cushions.
Context is Key
Check the sentence before using the word.
Kissing
Cheek kissing is a greeting in many cultures.
Plural
Always use plural for the face.
