What does "cheer" mean?
A cheerful attitude; happiness; a good, happy, or positive mood.
Cheer
/t͡ʃɪə̯/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A cheerful attitude; happiness; a good, happy, or positive mood.
- Grammar: cheer is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: barrack, cheerfulness, abide by, accede.
- Useful contrasts: acute sadness, black frost, depressed.
- Usage evidence: We tried to cheer him up by taking him out.
How to use "cheer"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "cheer" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "cheer" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "cheer" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "cheer" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "cheer" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "barrack" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "cheer", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A cheerful attitude; happiness; a good, happy, or positive mood. uncountable
"I have not that alacrity of spirit, / Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have."
- 2 Cheerleading, especially when practiced as a competitive sport. Canada, US, uncountable
"Alex participated in cheer all four years of college."
- 3 the quality of being cheerful and dispelling gloom wordnet
- 4 That which promotes good spirits or cheerfulness, especially food and entertainment prepared for a festive occasion. uncountable
"a table loaded with good cheer"
- 5 a cry or shout of approval wordnet
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 A cry expressing joy, approval or support, such as "hurrah". countable
"Three cheers for the birthday boy!"
- 7 A chant made in support of a team at a sports event. countable
- 8 One's facial expression or countenance. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"And soo on the morne they were alle accorded that they shold departe eueryche from other / And on the morne they departed with wepynge chere / and euery knyȝt took the way that hym lyked best"
- 9 One's attitude, mood. archaic, countable, uncountable
"And anon he talked with them, and sayde unto them: be of good chere, it is I, be not afrayed."
Verb
- 1 To gladden; to make cheerful; often with up. transitive
"We were cheered by the offer of a cup of tea."
- 2 show approval or good wishes by shouting wordnet
- 3 To infuse life, courage, animation, or hope, into; to inspirit; to solace or comfort. transitive
"The proud he tam'd, the penitent he cheer'd."
- 4 spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts wordnet
- 5 To encourage to do something. obsolete, transitive
"Let’s cheere our ſouldiers to incounter him, […] And burne him in the fury of that flame, That none can quench but blood and Empery."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 become cheerful wordnet
- 7 To applaud or encourage with cheers or shouts. ambitransitive
"The crowd cheered in support of the athletes."
- 8 cause (somebody) to feel happier or more cheerful wordnet
- 9 To feel or express enthusiasm for (something). figuratively, transitive
"The finance sector will cheer this decision."
- 10 give encouragement to wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"We tried to cheer him up by taking him out."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "cheer"?
Common synonyms include: barrack, cheerfulness, abide by, accede, accept, acclaim.
How do you use "cheer" in a sentence?
We tried to cheer him up by taking him out.
How do you pronounce "cheer"?
Pronounced /t͡ʃɪə̯/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English chere, from Anglo-Norman chere, from Old French chiere (“head, face; appearance; reception, hospitality; meal, dinner, food”) (Modern French chère), from Late Latin cara (“head”).
Etymology 2
Clipping of cheerleading.