# cheesy

/ˈtʃizi/ (US) · /tʃˈiːsi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cheesy
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. clichéd or sentimental

adjective · CEFR B1 · Informal

silly or too emotional in a way that is not original.

For teachers: excessively sentimental, clichéd, or trite; often used to describe media that lacks artistic depth.

- The movie had a really cheesy ending where everyone started singing together.
- While some critics dismissed the romantic comedy as cheesy, the audience seemed to appreciate its unapologetic use of traditional genre tropes.

### 2. forced or insincere

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

looking fake or forced, especially when talking about a smile.

For teachers: describing a facial expression, particularly a smile, that appears forced, exaggerated, or insincere.

- He gave a cheesy grin for the camera even though he was tired.
- The politician maintained a cheesy smile throughout the interview, even as the reporter began asking increasingly difficult questions about the budget.

### 3. containing cheese

adjective · CEFR A2

tasting like cheese or having a lot of cheese in it.

For teachers: containing, resembling, or having the characteristic qualities of cheese.

- I love eating cheesy pasta for dinner when it is cold outside.
- The chef prepared a rich, cheesy sauce using a blend of aged cheddar and sharp parmesan to complement the roasted vegetables.

### 4. cheap or poor quality

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

looking cheap or badly made.

For teachers: of poor quality, shoddy, or cheap in appearance.

- The hotel lobby was decorated with cheesy plastic gold statues.
- The gift shop was filled with cheesy souvenirs that were clearly manufactured in bulk for unsuspecting tourists.

## Examples

- He sent her a cheesy card with a big red heart.
- The movie was full of cheesy dialogue that made the audience laugh during the serious scenes.
- While some critics dismissed the performance as cheesy and outdated, the fans embraced its unapologetic nostalgia and bright, campy aesthetic.

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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.