cheek

Pluralcheeks

Formscheeks, cheeking, cheeked

1. 1
   nouncountable or uncountable

   The soft skin on each side of your face, below your eyes.

   Like a soft cushion on each side of your face.

   She kissed him gently on the cheek.

   He bit the inside of his cheek by accident while eating.

   Note
2. 2
   nouncolloquialcountable or uncountable

   The lower, rounded part of the bottom that very short swimwear or briefs may leave bare.

   His swim shorts were so brief that one cheek kept peeking out.

   She got sunburned on both cheeks at the beach.

   Similarbuttock

   Note
3. 3
   nouncolloquialfigurativelyuncountable

   Rude, bold behavior that shows no respect.

   Like a child sticking out their tongue at a teacher.

   He had the cheek to ask for more money after arriving late.

   What a cheek, taking my seat without even asking!

   Similarnerve, impudence, sass, impertinence, chutzpah

   Oppositerespect, politeness, courtesy

   Note
4. 4
   verbtransitive

   To speak in a rude, bold way to someone.

   Like talking back to your mom when she tells you to clean up.

   Don't cheek your teacher like that.

   He cheeked the referee and got sent off.

   Similarsass

   Note
5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To hold something inside your cheek instead of swallowing it.

   Like a squirrel storing nuts in the side of its mouth.

   Some animals cheek food to eat it later.

   He cheeked the candy instead of chewing it right away.

   Oppositeswallow

   Note
6. 6
   nouncountable or uncountable

   One of the flat sides of an axe head.

   Like the flat sides of a knife blade.

   He ground the cheek of the axe until it was smooth.

   Rust had formed on one cheek of the old axe head.

7. 7
   nouncountable or uncountableplural

   One of the side pieces of a horse's bit, lying beside the mouth.

   The rein attaches to the cheek of the bit.

   She fixed the strap to the bit's cheek.

   Note
8. 8
   nouncountable or uncountable

   One of a matching pair of side pieces in a machine or building.

   Like the two matching sides of a bookshelf that hold the shelves.

   Each cheek of the door frame was made of oak.

   The press has a strong metal cheek on either side.

   Similarjamb

   Note
9. 9
   verbtransitive

   To pull a horse's head back toward the saddle using the side strap of the bridle.

   Like gently pulling a dog's leash to turn its head toward you.

   The groom had to cheek the nervous horse before mounting.

   She cheeked the pony to keep its head still.

   Note
10. 10
    nouncountable or uncountable

    The middle part of a casting flask that slides sideways to free the pattern.

    Like a middle drawer you can slide out from a stack of drawers.

    The worker slid the cheek aside to lift out the pattern.

    Sand was packed tightly around the cheek of the flask.

    Note
11. 11
    nouncountable or uncountable

    A forked wooden piece that holds a pump handle so it can move the pump up and down.

    Like a forked branch that holds a stick so it can swing back and forth.

    The sailor bolted the handle into the cheek of the pump.

    One cheek of the pump had split and needed replacing.

    Note
12. 12
    nouncolloquialcountable or uncountable

    One of the flat areas on the side of a trilobite's head.

    Like the flat sides of a beetle's head.

    The fossil shows one cheek of the trilobite very clearly.

    Each cheek of the trilobite's head is flat and smooth.

    Note

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