What is the right definition of "cheeky"?
Whenever anyone from US hears me say "cheeky" to (or about) my kids, they always ask what it means. When I try to explain, they suggest "mischievous", but apparently it has more negative connotation than the "cheeky" I mean (the best I can explain it is mischievous, but cute about it). When I mean it negatively I use "naughty", not "cheeky". So, is there a better definition, or am I using it wrong?
Solution 1:
Your usage of cheeky is perfectly correct. The NOAD definition aptly captures your intended meaning:
cheeky
impudent or irreverent, typically in an endearing or amusing way
Unfortunately, this word is not too common among American speakers. It may be that a cultural difference accounts for the fact (my conjecture) that American speakers are more likely to use adjectives (or adjectival phrases) that are more specific than cheeky to describe their children's behavior. For instance, you might hear:
- Little Johnny's such a piece of work.
- Amy's quite a character.
- Our five-year-old's got some real spunk.
- What a zesty little chipmunk!
- Jimmy always seems to have a will of his own.
As for a better alternative to cheeky, I do not think there is one, except you want to go for either of the following:
Impudent — a more formal synonym that would rarely be used in casual conversation.
Sassy — a more informal synonym, but I doubt that parents would use this to describe their kids; it is more common among friends, and for some reasons, more feminine than masculine.
Finally, I would say that mischievous does not always have a negative connotation. It has two degrees of meaning, one which is much more negative than the other. I quote the relevant NOAD definition:
mischievous
(of a person, animal, or their behavior) causing or showing a fondness for causing trouble in a playful way
It clearly isn't a direct synonym of cheeky, but it could work very well for related behavioral descriptions. And I daresay mischievous is way more popular than cheeky in conversations among American parents.
Solution 2:
We use the term cheeky here in Southeastern North Carolina to mean mischievous in a cute way. To give too much lip is to be cheeky.
Solution 3:
Perhaps impish might work?
Defined as "showing a lack of respect for somebody/something in a way that is amusing rather than serious" in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary or...
"having or showing a playful desire to cause trouble : playful and mischievous" in Meriam-Webster.