cheer

[ cheer ]

noun

1. a shout of encouragement, approval, congratulation, etc.:

   The cheers of the fans filled the stadium.

2. a set or traditional form of shout used by spectators to encourage or show enthusiasm for an athletic team, contestant, etc., as rah! rah! rah!
3. something that gives joy or gladness; encouragement; comfort:

   words of cheer.

   Synonyms: solace

4. a state of feeling or spirits:

   She entered his room promptly at 7 a.m. with her usual good cheer.

5. gladness, gaiety, or animation:

   Festivities will continue all week, with events and attractions spreading holiday cheer across the city.

   Synonyms: merriment, glee, mirth, joy

6. food and drink:

   tables laden with cheer.

7. Archaic. facial expression.

interjection

1. cheers, (used as a salutation or toast.)

verb (used with object)

1. to salute with shouts of approval, congratulation, triumph, etc.:

   The team members cheered their captain.

   Synonyms: applaud

2. to gladden or cause joy to; inspire with cheer (often followed by up ):

   The good news cheered her.

   Synonyms: animate, exhilarate

   Antonyms: dispirit, depress, dishearten, discourage

3. to encourage or incite:

   She cheered him on when he was about to give up.

   Synonyms: inspirit

verb (used without object)

1. to utter cheers of approval, encouragement, triumph, etc.
2. to become happier or more cheerful (often followed by up ):

   She cheered up as soon as the sun began to shine.

3. Obsolete. to be or feel in a particular state of mind or spirits.

cheer

/ tʃɪə /

verb

1. usually foll by up to make or become happy or hopeful; comfort or be comforted
2. to applaud with shouts
3. whentr, sometimes foll by on to encourage (a team, person, etc) with shouts, esp in contests

noun

1. a shout or cry of approval, encouragement, etc, often using such words as hurrah! or rah! rah! rah!
2. three cheers
   three shouts of hurrah given in unison by a group to honour someone or celebrate something
3. happiness; good spirits
4. state of mind; spirits (archaic, except in the phrases be of good cheer, with good cheer )
5. archaic.
   provisions for a feast; fare

Derived Forms

• ˈcheerer, noun
• ˈcheeringly, adverb

Other Words From

• cheerer noun
• cheering·ly adverb
• un·cheered adjective
• un·cheering adjective
• well-cheered adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cheer¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English chere “face,” from Anglo-French; compare Old French chiere, from Late Latin cara “face, head,” from Greek kárā “head”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cheer¹

C13 (in the sense: face, welcoming aspect): from Old French chere, from Late Latin cara face, from Greek kara head

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. be of good cheer, (used as an exhortation to be cheerful):

   Be of good cheer! Things could be much worse.

2. with good cheer, cheerfully; willingly:

   She accepted her lot with good cheer.

More idioms and phrases containing cheer

• three cheers

Synonym Study

Cheer, gladden, enliven mean to make happy or lively. To cheer is to comfort, to restore hope and cheerfulness to (now often cheer up, when thoroughness, a definite time, or a particular point in the action is referred to): to cheer a sick person; She soon cheered him up. To gladden does not imply a state of sadness to begin with, but suggests bringing pleasure or happiness to someone: to gladden someone's heart with good news. Enliven suggests bringing vivacity and liveliness: to enliven a dull evening, a party.

Example Sentences

On his return, there was plenty more for the England captain to cheer.

From BBC

Once, in 2009, the group streamed past the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center on Washington Boulevard and Magic Johnson appeared in the window to cheer them on.

From Los Angeles Times

But at an election night event, he summarized his leadership vision for jubilant supporters gathered at a music venue in the Mission district to cheer him on.

From Los Angeles Times

“They tried to get him out of his game even though he didn’t miss too many shots. But now they can cheer for him tomorrow.”

From Los Angeles Times

A cheer went up at the campaign party for Measure A when the first round of early results hit the board Tuesday night.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• buoy
• comfort
• elate
• encourage
• hearten