Cheek vs. Cheeks – Which is Correct?

Both cheek and cheeks are correct American English words. Cheek is the singular noun for one side of the face, or a person’s buttock in informal language. Cheeks is its regular plural, used for both sides or multiple cheeks. Choose based on whether you mean one or more than one.

Cheek or Cheeks – Which is Correct?

Cheek and cheeks are both correct words. The difference is grammatical number: cheek is singular, while cheeks is plural. Use cheek when referring to one side of someone’s face or one buttock. Use cheeks when referring to both sides of the face, both buttocks, or more than one person’s cheek.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

Use the number test: if you could replace the word with one, choose cheek. If you could replace it with two, choose cheeks. For example, “She kissed him on the cheek” means one side of the face, while “His cheeks turned red” means both sides or the general facial area.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
cheek	Noun, singular	One side of the face; informally, one buttock	A tear rolled down her cheek.
cheeks	Noun, plural	Both sides of the face or more than one cheek	The cold wind made his cheeks numb.

How to Use Cheek

Cheek is a singular countable noun. It commonly refers to one of the two fleshy areas on the sides of the face below the eyes. It can also refer informally to one side of the buttocks. The facial meaning is neutral and suitable for formal, casual, medical, and literary contexts. The buttock meaning is generally casual or humorous and may not suit formal writing.

When referring to one facial cheek, use a determiner such as a, the, my, or her. Common expressions include on the cheek, left cheek, right cheek, and cheekbone.

Example 1: The child had a small dimple in her left cheek.

Example 2: He received a gentle kiss on the cheek.

Example 3: The doctor examined the inside of the patient’s cheek.

Etymology of the word cheek

Cheek comes from Old English cēace, meaning the jaw or cheek. The word is related to terms in other Germanic languages that refer to the jaw or side of the face. Its use for one side of the buttocks developed later and is now primarily informal.

How to Use Cheeks

Cheeks is the regular plural form of cheek. It usually refers to both sides of the face collectively, especially when describing color, expression, temperature, tears, or physical appearance. It can also refer to both sides of the buttocks in informal language or to the cheeks of multiple people.

Use cheeks when the meaning involves two facial sides or more than one cheek. In expressions such as rosy cheeks, chubby cheeks, and flushed cheeks, the plural form commonly describes the face as a whole.

Example 1: Her cheeks became bright red after the compliment.

Example 2: The baby had round, soft cheeks.

Example 3: The runners’ cheeks were pink from the cold.

What are the different forms of cheeks?

Cheeks is the plural form of the regular noun cheek. The singular form is cheek, and the plural is created by adding -s: cheek becomes cheeks. There is no spelling change or irregular plural. The possessive forms are cheek’s for one cheek and cheeks’ for multiple cheeks.

Etymology of the word cheeks

Cheeks has the same origin as cheek. It is formed by adding the regular English plural ending -s to the singular noun. The word ultimately traces back to Old English cēace, referring to the jaw or cheek.

Related Concepts

Understanding singular and plural nouns makes it easier to choose between cheek and cheeks in everyday and professional writing.

The same attention to regular plural patterns helps distinguish Chiefs vs. Chieves in related spelling questions.

• Singular nouns: A singular noun refers to one person, place, thing, or body part. For example, “A spot appeared on his cheek” refers to one cheek.
• Plural nouns: A plural noun refers to two or more people, places, things, or body parts. “Her cheeks were rosy” refers to both sides of her face.
• Regular plurals: Most regular English nouns form the plural by adding -s or -es. The plural of cheek is the regular form cheeks.
• Possessive nouns: Possessive forms show ownership or association. Use the cheek’s color for one cheek and the cheeks’ color for more than one cheek.

Examples from Media and Literature

The two forms appear frequently in descriptions of emotion, appearance, affection, and physical action across books, films, and news writing.

• Literary description: A novel might describe “a tear slipping down her cheek” when focusing on one side of the face.
• Film dialogue: A character may say, “Give me a kiss on the cheek,” using the singular form for one affectionate gesture.
• News reporting: A report about winter weather might describe commuters with “red cheeks” after standing in the cold.
• Children’s books: Illustrations and descriptions often feature a character with “round cheeks” or “rosy cheeks.”
• Sports coverage: A journalist may write that an athlete’s “cheeks were flushed” after an intense competition.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

1. A single tear rolled down her ______.
2. The cold weather made both of his ______ bright red.
3. The nurse checked the inside of the patient’s ______.
4. The baby’s round ______ made everyone smile.
5. He gave his daughter a kiss on the ______.

Answer Key

1. cheek — The sentence refers to one side of the face.
2. cheeks — The sentence refers to both sides of the face.
3. cheek — The sentence refers to one side or interior area of the mouth.
4. cheeks — The sentence refers to both sides of the baby’s face.
5. cheek — The sentence describes one kiss on one side of the face.

Cheek Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Facial side	A descriptive phrase for one side of the face.
Jowl	The lower part of the cheek or jaw area, often referring to loose flesh.
Visage	A formal or literary word for the face, not specifically one cheek.
Buttock	A formal term for one side of the body commonly called a cheek in informal speech.

Cheeks Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Facial sides	A direct descriptive phrase for both sides of the face.
Jowls	The lower cheek or jaw areas, especially when they are loose or prominent.
Face	A broader term that includes the cheeks and other facial features.
Buttocks	The formal plural term for both sides of the body informally called cheeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “cheek” or “cheeks” correct?
Both are correct. Use cheek for one side of the face or one buttock, and cheeks for both sides or more than one cheek.

Question 2: Should I say “a cheek” or “cheeks”?
Use a cheek when referring to one cheek. Use cheeks when referring to both sides of the face, as in “She has rosy cheeks.”

Question 3: Is “cheeks” always plural?
Yes. Cheeks is the regular plural of cheek. It normally refers to two or more cheeks, although it can describe the general cheek area of one person.

Conclusion

Cheek is the singular form, and cheeks is the regular plural form. Choose cheek for one side of the face and cheeks for both sides or multiple cheeks. Pro Tip: Using the correct singular or plural form makes your writing sound polished and protects your professional reputation.