Cheeky vs. Mischievous — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on December 10, 2023
Cheeky implies a bold or impudent attitude, often playful. Mischievous suggests playful harm or troublemaking.
Difference Between Cheeky and Mischievous
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Key Differences
Cheeky often describes someone displaying boldness or brashness, usually in a playful or irreverent manner. It's that audacious smirk when someone has just made a witty remark. On the other hand, mischievous portrays a more playful intent to cause minor trouble or annoyance, often in an endearing or harmless way.
Cheeky remarks or behaviors can be seen as slightly disrespectful or forward, but they're typically without the intention to truly harm or upset. Conversely, mischievous actions are generally carried out with the intent of stirring up a bit of harmless trouble or teasing. A cheeky person might be brazen in their comments, while a mischievous person might play light pranks.
A cheeky grin doesn't necessarily indicate an intention to cause trouble. It might just hint at a teasing or playful attitude. A mischievous glint in the eyes, though, is often a sign that someone is plotting a playful scheme or trick.
It's essential to understand that both cheeky and mischievous can be endearing qualities when exhibited in the right situations. While someone might be cheeky in their candid response, their honesty can be refreshing. Meanwhile, a mischievous individual might lighten up a room with their playful antics.
Comparison Chart
Primary Connotation
Bold or impudent
Playful harm or troublemaking
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Intent
Playful irreverence
Intent to tease or prank
Reception
Might be seen as disrespectful
Generally seen as playful
Common Context
Remarks, attitudes
Actions, behaviors
Potential Outcome
Surprise or mild shock
Light-hearted laughter or annoyance
Compare with Definitions
Cheeky
Boldly forward or impudent.
She gave a cheeky wink as she took the last cookie.
Mischievous
Delighting in pranks or playful tricks.
Her mischievous nature was evident in her love for surprise parties.
Cheeky
Daringly confident or presumptuous.
The kid's cheeky request for more candy stunned the adults.
Mischievous
Playfully vexing or irritating.
A mischievous grin appeared as he hid her shoes.
Cheeky
Fresh or brash in behavior or attitude.
He wore a cheeky grin after splashing water at his friend.
Mischievous
Causing mischief.
Cheeky
Displaying irreverence or audacity.
His cheeky response left the audience laughing.
Mischievous
Playful in a naughty or teasing way.
Cheeky
Uninhibitedly playful or teasing.
Her cheeky remarks always added humor to our meetings.
Mischievous
Troublesome; irritating
A mischievous prank.
Cheeky
Impertinently bold; impudent and saucy.
Mischievous
Causing harm, injury, or damage
Mischievous rumors and falsehoods.
Cheeky
(informal) Impudent; impertinent; impertinently bold, often in a way that is regarded as endearing or amusing.
Mischievous
Causing mischief; injurious.
Cheeky
Tending to expose the cheeks of the buttocks.
Mischievous
Troublesome, cheeky, badly behaved.
Matthew had a twin brother called Edward, who was always mischievous and badly behaved.
Cheeky
(Australian Aboriginal) Poisonous (of animals such as snakes), dangerous, cunning, violent, potent.
Mischievous
Causing mischief; harmful; hurtful; - now often applied where the evil is done carelessly or in sport; as, a mischievous child.
This false, wily, doubling disposition is intolerably mischievous to society.
Cheeky
Indulged in.
Mischievous
Naughtily or annoyingly playful;
Teasing and worrying with impish laughter
Cheeky
A Brazen-faced; impudent; bold.
Mischievous
Badly behaved;
He was saucy and mischievous in school
A naughty boy
Cheeky
Offensively bold;
A brash newcomer disputed the age-old rules for admission to the club
A nervy thing to say
Mischievous
Deliberately causing harm or damage;
Mischievous rumors and falsehoods
Mischievous
Inclined to playfulness or light-hearted trouble.
His mischievous antics always lightened the mood.
Mischievous
Harmlessly teasing or causing minor annoyance.
The mischievous kitten kept batting at the hanging string.
Mischievous
Marked by a desire to create minor disturbances.
The mischievous children loved ringing doorbells and running away.
Common Curiosities
Is cheeky a negative term?
Not necessarily; it can imply playful boldness, but can sometimes be seen as disrespectful.
Is mischievous the same as cheeky?
No, while cheeky means boldly forward, mischievous implies playful harm or troublemaking.
Can cheeky be used to describe actions?
Yes, actions like remarks or gestures can be described as cheeky.
Can someone be both cheeky and mischievous?
Yes, someone can be both bold in their remarks (cheeky) and playfully troublesome (mischievous).
What does cheeky mean?
Cheeky describes someone who is boldly forward, often in a playful manner.
What's the origin of the word cheeky?
It stems from the word "cheek," implying boldness or impudence.
What does mischievous mean?
Mischievous describes a playful intent to cause minor trouble or annoyance.
Is being mischievous always negative?
No, it often suggests harmless fun or light-hearted troublemaking.
Can an action be described as mischievous?
Yes, actions like pranks or playful behaviors can be described as mischievous.
Can a cheeky remark be a compliment?
Yes, depending on context, a cheeky remark can be taken as endearing or refreshingly candid.
Is a mischievous child a troublemaker?
Not necessarily. A mischievous child might enjoy playful pranks but not serious mischief.
Are mischievous acts always intentional?
Typically, mischievous acts have a playful intent, but they may not always be meant to cause harm.
How should I respond to someone being cheeky?
Context matters. If it's playful and harmless, a light-hearted response is appropriate. If it's disrespectful, addressing it directly may be needed.
Can animals be described as mischievous?
Yes, animals like puppies or kittens can exhibit mischievous behaviors like playful nibbling or hiding objects.
How can I differentiate between someone being cheeky or mischievous?
Cheeky often pertains to bold remarks or attitudes, while mischievous pertains to playful actions or pranks.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
