cheer

American  

[cheer] / tʃɪər /

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 byup ).

   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 byup ).

   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.

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.

cheer British  

/ tʃɪə /

verb

1. (usually foll by up) to make or become happy or hopeful; comfort or be comforted

2. to applaud with shouts

3. 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 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

cheer More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing cheer

• three cheers

---

Usage

What does cheer mean? A cheer is a shout or cry of encouragement, approval, or agreement, as in When the band took the stage, the crowd gave a loud cheer. Cheer is also something that gives joy or encouragement, as in a letter that contains good cheer. To cheer is to shout or cry of approval or encouragement, as in The fans cheered the home every time they made a goal. To cheer is also to inspire with cheer, as in Petting my dog always cheers me up when I’m sad. Example: The crowd cheered as the team scored the game winning touchdown.

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• cheerer noun
• cheeringly adverb
• uncheered adjective
• uncheering adjective
• well-cheered adjective

Etymology

Origin of cheer

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”

Explanation

A cheer is what you shout at a sporting event when you cheer your team on, showing your enthusiasm and support. Often there's a lot of cheer or good spirits at these games, unless of course your favorite team loses. The word cheer comes from the Old French chiere, meaning "face." When you cheer someone on, you show approval, whether on your face through a smile, or by shouting encouragement. Cheer is also a quality of being sunny or happy. You can cheer someone up by being silly or entertaining. Or, you could raise a glass to them and toast, "Cheers!"

Example Sentences

For her, adaptive cheer is "probably the most important thing in the world".

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

In any case, popes don’t cheer wars, which are always a calamity—a result of failure and a killer of the innocent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

When activist investors take a stake in a pharmaceutical company, markets often cheer.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

If that seems too esoteric a milestone for a financial newsletter, it’s worth noting that investors have some reason to cheer too.

From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026

And below, every person from the entire city seemed to be crowded onto the mansion grounds to ooh and aah and cheer.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• delight
• encouragement
• glee
• joy
• optimism