Cheesy: meaning, definitions and examples

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cheesy

 

[ ˈtʃiːzi ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

food

Tasting or smelling like cheese, often in an unpleasant or overbearing way.

Synonyms

cheese-flavored, cheeselike.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cheesy

Repeated twice, it is likely a typographical error and not necessary unless for special emphasis in informal speech.

cheeselike

Describes something that resembles cheese in texture, appearance, or flavor, but is not actually cheese.

  • The vegan spread has a cheeselike taste.
  • His mashed potatoes were oddly cheeselike.
cheese-flavored

Used to describe food that has been flavored to taste like cheese, often for snacks or processed foods.

  • These cheese-flavored chips are addictive.
  • She prefers cheese-flavored popcorn during the movie.

Examples of usage

  • The pizza was so cheesy that I couldn't finish it.
  • I don't like the cheesy flavor of this popcorn.
Context #2 | Adjective

informal

Tacky, overly sentimental, or exaggerated in a way that is not genuine or authentic.

Synonyms

corny, mawkish, sappy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cheesy

Use this word when describing something that is overly sentimental or inauthentic in a clichéd, often embarrassing way. It can refer to movies, songs, gifts, and more.

  • That rom-com was so cheesy, I could barely watch it.
  • His cheesy pick-up lines never seem to work.
corny

This word is used to describe jokes, expressions, or ideas that are old-fashioned, overly sentimental, or lacking sophistication. It often has a playful or mildly negative connotation.

  • Her dad jokes are so corny, but they always make me smile.
  • The speech was inspiring but a bit corny in parts.
sappy

This word is typically used to describe excessively sentimental or emotional behavior, stories, or expressions. It often has a mildly negative tone, suggesting a lack of sophistication.

  • The movie was too sappy for my taste.
  • He wrote a sappy love letter that she found adorable.
mawkish

Use 'mawkish' to describe something that is overly sentimental to the point of being sickening or disgustingly sweet. It carries a strong negative connotation.

  • The novel's mawkish tone made it hard to take seriously.
  • His mawkish display of affection was uncomfortable to watch.

Examples of usage

  • The movie was too cheesy for my taste.
  • The Valentine's Day card was cheesy, but it made me smile.

Translations

Translations of the word "cheesy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cafona

🇮🇳 अति भावुक

🇩🇪 kitschig

🇮🇩 norak

🇺🇦 несмачний

🇵🇱 kiczowaty

🇯🇵 ダサい

🇫🇷 ringard

🇪🇸 cursi

🇹🇷 bayağı

🇰🇷 촌스럽다

🇸🇦 مبتذل

🇨🇿 kýčovitý

🇸🇰 gýčový

🇨🇳 庸俗的

🇸🇮 kičast

🇮🇸 hallærislegt

🇰🇿 күлкілі

🇬🇪 გახუნებული

🇦🇿 banal

🇲🇽 cursi

Etymology

The word 'cheesy' originated in the early 19th century from the word 'cheese,' which has been used as a metaphor for something of poor quality or inauthentic. Over time, 'cheesy' has evolved to describe things that are overly sentimental, exaggerated, or of low quality, especially in the context of food and entertainment.

See also: cheese, cheeseburger, cheeselike.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,157, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.