Definition of Tongue-in-cheek

1. Adjective. Cleverly amusing in tone. "Tongue-in-cheek advice"

Exact synonyms: Bantering, Facetious
Similar to: Humorous, Humourous
Derivative terms: Facetiousness

2. Adverb. In a bantering fashion. "He spoke to her banteringly"
Exact synonyms: Banteringly
Partainyms: Bantering

3. Adverb. Not seriously. "I meant it facetiously"
Exact synonyms: Facetiously, Jokingly
Partainyms: Facetious, Joking

Definition of Tongue-in-cheek

1. Adjective. (idiomatic) not intended seriously; jocular or humorous ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Tongue-in-cheek

tonging
tongkang
tongkangs
tongman
tongmen
tongs
tongster
tongsters
tonguage
tongue
tongue-and-groove
tongue-boring
tongue-clacker
tongue-fish
tongue-flower
tongue-in-cheek (current term)
tongue-in-chic
tongue-lash
tongue-lashing
tongue-lashings
tongue-pad
tongue-pads
tongue-shaped
tongue-shell
tongue-shells
tongue-swallowing
tongue-tie
tongue-tied
tongue-twister
tongue-twisters

Literary usage of Tongue-in-cheek

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The American Journal of Psychology by Granville Stanley Hall, Edward Bradford Titchener (1895)
"F. Mouth open, tongue in cheek. M. Tongue out. F. Head down, lips strongly pursed, changed style and ... M. Tongue in cheek. F. Lips protruding. M. Scowl. ..."

2. Punch by Mark Lemon, Henry Mayhew, Tom Taylor, Shirley Brooks, Francis Cowley Burnand, Owen Seaman (1898)
"When fresh advantages we seek With crafty smile we speak you fair, And laugh, at first with tongue in cheek— Outright when once we 're there. ..."

3. Road Trip USA: Cross-Country Adventures on America's Two-Lane Highways by Jamie Jensen (2006)
"The Dublin area hosts an increasingly popular, very- tongue-in-cheek annual celebration of rural America: the Redneck Games. Started by local radio DJ Mac ..."

4. A Diary of the Salisbury Parliament, 1886-1892 by Henry William Lucy (1892)
"Whilst his enemies use it with tongue in cheek and meaning wink of the eye, his admirers are content to adopt it as a literal description of a remarkable ..."

5. A Diary of the Salisbury Parliament, 1886-1892 by Henry William Lucy (1892)
"Whilst his enemies use it with tongue in cheek and meaning wink of the eye, his admirers are content to adopt it as a literal description of a remarkable ..."

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