Synonyms

cheesy

American

[chee-zee] / ˈtʃi zi /

adjective

cheesier, cheesiest

of or like cheese.

a cheesy aroma; a cheesy taste.
Slang. inferior or cheap; chintzy.

The movie's special effects are cheesy and unconvincing.

cheesy British

/ ˈtʃiːzɪ /

adjective

like cheese in flavour, smell, or consistency
informal (of a smile) broad but possibly insincere

a big cheesy grin
informal banal or trite; in poor taste

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

cheesily adverb
cheesiness noun

Etymology

Origin of cheesy

1350–1400; Middle English. See cheese ¹, -y ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They’re hearty, warm, cheesy, creamy and indulgent — just a few words that are part of the season’s culinary vernacular.

From Salon

Anytime the film veers into computer-generated territory, it takes on a sheen of cheesy artifice.

From Los Angeles Times

"It sounds so cheesy but it's taught me the true meaning of life and what we're all here for," said Danni.

From BBC

It sounds a bit cheesy, but she deserves that.

From Los Angeles Times

Rich and incredibly cheesy, TJ’s Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip is hard to resist.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023