Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Saucy

Sau′cy

,
Adj.
[
Com
par.
Saucier
;
sup
erl.
Sauciest
.]
[From
Sauce
.]
1.
Showing impertinent boldness or pertness; transgressing the rules of decorum; treating superiors with contempt; impudent; insolent;
as, a
saucy
fellow
.
Am I not protector,
saucy
priest?
Shakespeare
2.
Expressive of, or characterized by, impudence; impertinent;
as, a
saucy
eye;
saucy
looks
.
We then have done you bold and
saucy
wrongs.
Shakespeare
Syn. – Impudent; insolent; impertinent; rude.

Webster 1828 Edition


Saucy

SAU'CY

,
Adj.
[from sauce; L. salsus, salt or salted. The use of this word leads to the primary sense of salt, which must be shooting forward, penetrating, pungent, for boldness is a shooting forward.]
1.
Impudent; bold to excess; rude; transgressing the rules of decorum; treating superiors with contempt. It expresses more than pert; as a saucy boy; a saucy fellow.
2.
Expressive of impudence; as a saucy eye; saucy looks.

Definition 2024


saucy

saucy

English

Adjective

saucy (comparative saucier, superlative sauciest)

  1. Similar to sauce; having the consistency or texture of sauce.
  2. Impertinent or disrespectful, often in a way that is regarded as entertaining or amusing; smart.
    • ~1603, William Shakespeare, Othello, the Moor of Venice , Act I, scene I, line 143:
      If this be known to you, and your allowance/ When we have done you bold and saucy wrongs.
    She is a loud, saucy child who doesn't show a lot of respect to her elders.
  3. Impudently bold; pert; piquant.
  4. Mildly erotic.
    I enjoyed the dancing, but my wife found it a little too saucy.

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:cheeky

Derived terms

Translations

See also