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 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.

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. 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

Other Word Forms

• cheerer noun
• cheeringly adverb
• uncheered adjective
• uncheering 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

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.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The fans at Bethpage Black have booed the Europeans, cheered their mistakes and begun counting out loud when they feel they’re taking too long to hit the ball.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“In a parade, they see the red beret, they cheer. They know for 45 years he’s been working for them.”

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“Usually everyone that’s skating is cheering for each other,” says Amelia Brodka, a skateboarding Olympian and co-founder of Exposure, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls, women and nonbinary people through skateboarding.

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But this was no substitute for them playing on a team—or for me cheering on the bleachers.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• delight 
• encouragement 
• glee 
• joy 
• optimism 

When To Use

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.