tongue-in-cheek meaning and definition

TONGUE-IN-CHEEK adjective

Definition of tongue-in-cheek (adjective)

1. cleverly amusing in tone
   • "a bantering tone"; "facetious remarks"; "tongue-in-cheek advice"
   • synonyms: bantering, facetious

TONGUE-IN-CHEEK adverb

Definition of tongue-in-cheek (adverb)

1. in a bantering fashion
   • "he spoke to her banteringly"
   • synonyms: banteringly
2. not seriously
   • "I meant it facetiously"
   • synonyms: facetiously, jokingly