cheerful
Americanadjective
adjective
-
having a happy disposition; in good spirits
-
pleasantly bright; gladdening
a cheerful room
-
hearty; ungrudging; enthusiastic
cheerful help
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of cheerful
First recorded in 1400–50, cheerful is from the late Middle English word cherfull. See cheer, -ful
Explanation
Someone who's cheerful is spirited and happy. Your sister might be so cheerful that you hear her whistling joyfully first thing in the morning. If you're full of good humor and optimism, your friends probably describe you as cheerful. A cheerful bus driver, restaurant server, or calculus teacher can brighten your whole day. Cheerful means "full of cheer," and cheer, which came to mean "good mood or spirit," started out in the 13th century meaning "the face," from the Late Latin cara, "face," and its Greek root, kara, "head."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Russell Impagliazzo: I'm afraid I am less cheerful about this than the others.
From Barron's ● Oct. 30, 2026
Conceiving his adaptation as a childlike sci-fi fairy tale, Waititi draws from his cheerful 2016 adolescent adventure “Hunt for the Wilderpeople” and the mixture of pathos and irony that informed “Jojo Rabbit.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 22, 2026
The spread already offers plenty of visual interest: bread piled high, bowls of herbs, cheerful wedges of citrus, golden cornbread, glossy bottles of oil and vinegar.
From Salon ● Oct. 20, 2026
In making his cheerful case, Mr. Wigglesworth takes some liberties with hallowed texts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
When her husband and daughter visit, she puts on a cheerful demeanor, even when she’s desperately ill.
From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly
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