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Idioms about cheer

    be of good cheer, (used as an exhortation to be cheerful): Be of good cheer! Things could be much worse.
    with good cheer, cheerfully; willingly: She accepted her lot with good cheer.

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”

synonym study for cheer

10. 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 WORDS FROM cheer

Words nearby cheer

cheek strap, cheek tooth, Cheektowaga, cheeky, cheep, cheer, cheerer-upper, cheerful, cheerio, cheerlead, cheerleader
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT CHEER

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.

Where does cheer come from?

The first records of the term cheer come from the late 1100s. It ultimately comes from the Greek kárā, meaning “head.”

Cheering comes in many forms. Most of the time cheers are wild, uncontainable, and loud. But, some, such as those used by cheerleaders are planned, rehearsed, and used to inspire a certain feeling in a crowd.

Cheer can also define the state of being happy, as you would be when giving a cheer. When people propose a toast and clink glasses, they often say “Cheers!” as a sign of enjoyment or pride.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to cheer?

What are some synonyms for cheer?

What are some words that share a root or word element with cheer?

What are some words that often get used in discussing cheer?

How is cheer used in real life?

Cheer is frequently used in reference to making someone happy or the actions of someone who is joyful and will be used accordingly joyfully.

 

Try using cheer!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for cheer?

A. comfort
B. hearten
C. encourage
D. deny

Words related to cheer

delight, encouragement, glee, joy, optimism, cry, ovation, roar, shout, buoy, comfort, elate, encourage, hearten, applaud, clap, hail, salute, yell, animation

How to use cheer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for cheer

cheer
/ (tʃɪə) /
verb
noun
See also cheers

Derived forms of cheer

cheerer, nouncheeringly, adverb

Word Origin for cheer

C13 (in the sense: face, welcoming aspect): from Old French chere, from Late Latin cara face, from Greek kara head
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with cheer

cheer
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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