cheery

[ cheer-ee ]

adjective

, cheer·i·er, cheer·i·est.

1. in good spirits; cheerful; happy.
2. promoting cheer; enlivening.

cheery

/ ˈtʃɪərɪ /

adjective

1. showing or inspiring cheerfulness

Derived Forms

• ˈcheeriness, noun
• ˈcheerily, adverb

Other Words From

• cheeri·ly adverb
• cheeri·ness noun
• un·cheeri·ly adverb
• un·cheeri·ness noun
• un·cheery adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cheery¹

First recorded in 1840–50; cheer + -y ¹

Example Sentences

This cheery cover is hidden behind a clear plastic pocket where you can stash photos or a schedule.

From Popular-Science

That said, Army of the Dead’s trailer suggests a somewhat cheerier affair than recent Snyder fare.

From Time

Mancuso doesn’t have time to consider objections or even address the fraught history of adapting natural principles to human politics, from social Darwinism to ecofascism, which lingers beneath the cheery surface of this well-intentioned work.

From Outside Online

Users visit the Advent Calendar for a free daily gift and a cheery Flash animation.

From Washington Post

Moments later, a cheery voice quiets the chatter as the whole family settles in to listen.

From MIT Technology Review

Alan Gross was in a cheery mood, having survived a grim five-year stint in a Cuban prison.

From The Daily Beast

The cheery 69-year-old father of eight sits in the center with his wife and delicately brandishes a small, brown book.

From The Daily Beast

The name “Meduza” might not sound so cheery, Timchenko admits.

From The Daily Beast

It would work, he said with cheery midwestern optimism, because “people are generally good.”

From The Daily Beast

More than anything else he is cheery—mordant and ironic at times, but undauntedly optimistic.

From The Daily Beast

Soon heavy feet are heard trooping up the stairs; doors are heard to bang; cheery voices wish each other good-night.

From Project Gutenberg

Jack said in his cheery way as he came up with the boy, whose ungracious answer was, "How do you know my name is Tom?"

From Project Gutenberg

He met Jack occasionally, and always received a bow of recognition and a cheery "How are you, Tom?"

From Project Gutenberg

A younger and tidier Uncle James, indeed—the same cheery manner, the same robust integrity, and the same small ambition.

From Project Gutenberg

The bird had such a cheery, brave voice that the man felt better the moment he flew in.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bright
• lively
• pleasant