cheerleader

[cheer-lee-der]

noun

1. a person who leads spectators in cheering, usually a member of a team that performs dance, acrobatic, and tumbling routines at sporting events or in competitions with other teams.

2. a person who encourages and openly supports the success of a person or cause.

   Her dad has always been her biggest cheerleader.

   He emerged as a cheerleader for the rights of the incarcerated.

cheerleader

/ ˈtʃɪəˌliːdə /

noun

1. a person who leads a crowd in formal cheers, esp at sports events

Word History and Origins

Origin of cheerleader¹

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05; cheer + leader

Example Sentences

“What I’m trying to do is worry about strategy and M&A items, be a cheerleader for management and not get as involved in the operational details of these businesses.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That’s worth emphasizing because many of Wall Street’s cheerleaders are arguing we can’t be in a bubble if corporations are as profitable as they are.

Read more on MarketWatch

After graduating in 1999, the former cheerleader had little to cheer over the next two decades, as he watched his alma mater suffer through 21 losing seasons.

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"Ask them what they think, if I am a cheerleader when I am here. I don't think one of the best managers in Europe would be choosing me just to do that."

Read more on BBC

"The only way the swag gap wouldn't be problematic was if the partner with less swag was a cheerleader for their partner and proud of them rather than emasculated or resentful."

Read more on BBC