saucy

• sawcy (obsolete)

From sauce +‎ -y [1][2].

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈsɔː.sɪ/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈsɔ.si/
  • (cot–caught merger) IPA^(key): /ˈsɑ.si/

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• Rhymes: -ɔːsi
• Rhymes: -ɒsi

saucy (comparative saucier, superlative sauciest)

1. Similar to sauce; having the consistency or texture of sauce.

   Bring the tomatoes to a boil and then simmer until they reach a saucy consistency.

2. Impertinent or disrespectful, often in a manner that is regarded as entertaining or amusing; smart.

   She is a loud, saucy child who doesn't show a lot of respect to her elders.

   • c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i], line 143, page 311, column 1:

     If this be knowne to you, and your Allowance, / We then haue done you bold, and ſaucie wrongs.

   • 1811, [Jane Austen], chapter XVII, in Sense and Sensibility […], volume I, London: […] C[harles] Roworth, […], and published by T[homas] Egerton, […], →OCLC, page 216:

     And books!—Thomson, Cowper, Scott;—she would buy them all over and over again; she would buy up every copy I believe, to prevent their falling into unworthy hands; and she would have every book that tells her how to admire an old twisted tree. Should not you, Marianne? Forgive me, if I am very saucy. But I was willing to shew you that I had not forgot our old disputes.

3. Impudently bold; pert.
4. Sharp; pungent; piquant.
5. Mildly erotic.

   I enjoyed the dancing, but my wife found it a little too saucy.

   • 1933, Stella Blum, Everyday Fashion of the Thirties as pictured in Sears Catalogs, published 1986, page 46:

     Saucy epaulet shoulder and full sleeves that fit into neat button trimmed cuffs.

• See also Thesaurus:cheeky

• sassy

• yucas