saucy

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Playfully bold or cheeky, often in a way that is amusing rather than rude.

   Grammar: Gradable; can be used with 'very' or in the comparative 'saucier'.

   Patterns

   • a saucy remark
   • be saucy to someone
   • a saucy grin

   She gave a saucy reply that made everyone laugh.

   The child was saucy to his teacher and got a warning.

   He flashed a saucy smile at the camera.

2. 2adjectivecomparable

   Mildly suggestive or flirtatious, especially in a lighthearted way.

   Grammar: Often used before a noun: a saucy joke, a saucy outfit.

   Patterns

   • a saucy joke
   • a saucy outfit
   • a saucy dance

   The comedian told a saucy joke that made the audience blush.

   She wore a saucy red dress to the party.

   The film is full of saucy humor but never offensive.

Word forms

Common combinations

saucy remark

His saucy remark earned him a playful slap on the arm.

saucy smile

She gave him a saucy smile and walked away.

saucy joke

The host told a saucy joke to lighten the mood.

saucy outfit

She bought a saucy outfit for the dance.

Synonyms and how they differ

cheeky

Cheeky is very close but often suggests disrespect toward someone in authority; saucy can also suggest mild flirtation.

impudent

Impudent is more formal and usually disapproving, meaning boldly disrespectful; saucy is lighter and often playful.

flirty

Flirty focuses on romantic or sexual interest; saucy can mean that but also just playful boldness.

Opposites

Word family

sauce noun

A liquid served with food; also, informally, boldness or cheek.

saucily adverb

In a saucy manner.

sauciness noun

The quality of being saucy.

Commonly confused: saucy or sassy?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “saucy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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