cheesy

chees-y · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Resembling or containing cheese; having the flavor or smell of cheese.

  2. 2.

    (informal) Cheap, unsubtle, or lacking in taste; overly sentimental or clichéd.

  3. 3.

    (informal) Exaggerated or insincere, especially in a way that is obvious.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    cheesy grin — an exaggerated, insincere smile
  • •
    cheesy pickup line — a clichéd or corny attempt at flirtation

Related words

Antonyms: classy, refined, sophisticated, tasteful
See also: cheese, corny, kitschy, tacky
Synonyms: cliched, corny, hokey, kitschy, tacky

Etymology

From cheese + -y. The literal sense dates from the 14th century. The figurative sense of "cheap, inferior" developed in American English slang in the mid-20th century, possibly from the idea of something smelling unpleasantly like overripe cheese.