saucy
/ˈsɔːsi
/adjective (saucier, sauciest) informal
1chiefly British Sexually suggestive in a light-hearted and humorous way: saucy postcards...
- Some Old Etonians have even claimed that they could identify him as one of their own from his writings, a hard case to credit unless Eton was stuffed with budding critics of saucy postcards and analysts of dirigiste economics.
- If, however, you like your comedy no more postmodern than a saucy seaside postcard, read on.
- Donald McGill was a British institution whose saucy postcards became an integral part of the British seaside holiday, and at the height of his popularity were selling up to 16 million copies a year.
Synonyms
suggestive, titillating, risqué, rude, bawdy, racy, ribald, spicy
informal raunchy, smutty
British informal fruity
North American informal gamy
1.1Cheeky or impertinent.Another John is a saucy southerner who talked about two Americas while surprisingly not referring to secession....
- Few seem to mind, except those who think the shop owner is the one being a little saucy.
- ‘Oh, I'm sorry,’ Kevin said, unable to help a slight saucy grin.
Synonyms
cheeky, impudent, impertinent, irreverent, forward, insolent, disrespectful, flippant, familiar, presumptuous, audacious, bold, bold as brass, brazen, cocky, out of line, shameless
informal fresh, flip, lippy, mouthy, smart-arsed
North American informal sassy, nervy, smart-assed
archaic malapert
2chiefly North American Having or expressing a bold, lively, or spirited manner: the beret was perched at a saucy angle on her blonde hair...
- Her wardrobe for the fall-spring season also changed and she adopted a bold, saucy and fashion forward style.
- The hair was then flat-ironed and flicked up for a saucy flip.
- For these people, the stylish, saucy miniature pinscher represents the perfect companion - a big dog in a small package.
Synonyms
jaunty, rakish, sporty, raffish;
pert, perky, stylish, dashing, dapper
informal natty, snazzy, snappy
North American informal spiffy, sassy
dated gay
Derivatives
saucily
/ adverb ...- He moved through the crowd schmoozing and smiling, surrounded by an arc of secret service, his suit jacket tossed saucily over his shoulder.
- She is simply adorable in her bustle gowns and ringlets, all prim modesty one moment, saucily displaying her ankles the next.
- Sonia grinned saucily at the men, enjoying their shock.
sauciness
- I can make a man blush by saying something sincere, with a dollop of sauciness thrown in.
- Despite her self-possession, Ali, 35, does not always radiate calm sauciness.
- The traditional home of the dirty weekend has acquired a few stylish new hotels of late, but for sheer sauciness, none of them can match this one.
Origin
Early 16th century (in the sense 'savoury, flavoured with sauce'): from sauce + -y1.