# say cheese

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/say-cheese
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To smile for a photograph by saying the word "cheese" (the vowel of which, when pronounced as is usual in English, forces a somewhat smile-shaped mouth).

## Examples

- The photographer says, 'Say cheese!' and everyone smiles.
- At the wedding, the photographer asked the family to say cheese for the group photo.
- Though her heart was heavy, she forced herself to say cheese for the camera, not wanting to spoil her daughter's birthday album with tears.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.