The cheek is an important part of the human face, used for various expressions such as smiling, frowning, or showing surprise. Additionally, in many cultures, touching the cheek signifies affection or greeting. The figurative use of the term “cheek” to indicate impudence likely comes from the notion of speaking or acting in a bold manner, often with the implication that someone is showing their face without fear of reprimand. This use has persisted into contemporary language, where "having cheek" is synonymous with showing disrespect, often in a humorous or bold context.
No exact match translations found for 'Cheek' in oriya.
Word 'Cheek' in Other Languages
- Cheek in Assamese অসমীয়া
- Cheek in Bengali বাংলা
- Cheek in Bodo बड़ो
- Cheek in Dogri डोगरी
- Cheek in English
- Cheek in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
- Cheek in Hindi हिन्दी
- Cheek in Kannada ಕನ್ನಡ
- Cheek in Kashmiri कॉशुर
- Cheek in Konkani कोंकणी
- Cheek in Maithili মৈথিলী
- Cheek in Malayalam മലയാളം
- Cheek in Manipuri মৈতৈলোন্
- Cheek in Marathi मराठी
- Cheek in Nepali नेपाली
- Cheek in Oriya ଓଡ଼ିଆ
- Cheek in Punjabi ਪੰਜਾਬੀ
- Cheek in Sanskrit संस्कृतम्
- Cheek in Santali
- Cheek in Sindhi سنڌي
- Cheek in Tamil தமிழ்
- Cheek in Telugu తెలుగు
- Cheek in Urdu اُردُو
Cheek
Part of Speech
Noun, Verb
Pronunciation
/ʧiːk/
Definitions
- Noun: Either of the two fleshy parts of the face below the eyes, typically used to express emotions or gestures.
- Noun: A part of the body or face near the mouth, often used figuratively to refer to boldness or impudence.
- Verb: To speak or act with impudence, to be cheeky or disrespectful.
Usage Examples
- He kissed her on the cheek before leaving.
- She had the cheek to ask for a raise on her first day.
- Stop cheekin' around and show some respect!
Etymology
From Middle English *cheke*, derived from Old French *chic*, which means "face" or "cheek," rooted in Latin *bucca* meaning "cheek" or "mouth." The figurative sense of boldness or impudence developed in the early 18th century.
Synonyms
- Face
- Jaw
- Boldness
- Impudence
Antonyms
- Respect
- Submissiveness
- Modesty
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Mejilla | me·hi·lya |
| French | Joues | ʒu |
| German | Backe | ˈba.kə |
| Chinese | 面颊 | miàn jiá |
| Hindi | गाल | gāl |
| Tamil | கோதிகல் | kōdhikaḷ |
| Bengali | গাল | gāl |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
In different English dialects, the pronunciation of "cheek" may vary slightly, with regional accents affecting the vowel sounds. In British English, it may sound slightly more elongated, while in American English, it’s typically shorter.
Historical Usage
Historically, the word "cheek" was primarily used to refer to the physical part of the face. The figurative sense of "cheek" as boldness or impudence arose in the 17th century, possibly because of the connection between one's facial expression and the ability to show disrespect. The phrase "to speak to someone with cheek" was common in English literature during this period.
Cultural Nuances
In many cultures, the cheek is considered a symbol of affection and intimacy, often marked by kisses or gestures. In contrast, the term "cheek" when used figuratively can carry a negative connotation, suggesting disrespect or arrogance. In some cultures, making cheeky or impudent remarks can be seen as playful, while in others it is a sign of social disrespect.