cheesy

American  

[chee-zee] / ˈtʃi zi /

adjective

cheesier, cheesiest

1. of or like cheese.

   a cheesy aroma; a cheesy taste.

2. Slang. inferior or cheap; chintzy.

   The movie's special effects are cheesy and unconvincing.

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cheesy British  

/ ˈtʃiːzɪ /

adjective

1. like cheese in flavour, smell, or consistency

2. informal (of a smile) broad but possibly insincere

   a big cheesy grin

3. informal banal or trite; in poor taste

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Other Word Forms

• cheesily adverb
• cheesiness noun

Etymology

Origin of cheesy

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

Explanation

Use the word cheesy to describe something that's cheap or badly made. You might hope your fake Rolex watch will impress your friends, but they're bound to see how cheesy it is. A really horrible motel room, with shag carpeting and strange art on the walls, can be described as cheesy, and so can a badly-written, sloppily made television movie. Cheesy is a great informal way to talk about shoddy or slightly unpleasant things. It comes from late 1800's United States university student slang, which also included the term cheese, which meant "ignorant, stupid person."

Example Sentences

"Trot isn't just cheesy or old-fashioned music," he tells the BBC.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

Soups, stews, cheesy casseroles and creamy mashed potatoes are just a few popular options that come to mind.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

He also says the cheesy garlic bread is a must-try.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 9, 2026

Mostly, I want something hearty that isn’t a three-egg omelet or a cheesy BEC on a toasted bagel.

From Salon • Jan. 29, 2026

Our food comes and my grilled cheese is greasy and cheesy and crispy on the outside and I eat it in about three minutes and excuse myself to go to the ladies’ room.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King