rah-rah

American  

[rah-rah] / ˈrɑˈrɑ /

adjective

Informal.

1. marked by or expressive of ardently enthusiastic spirit.

   a group of rah-rah undergraduates; a rah-rah attitude.

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rah-rah British  

/ ˈrɑːˌrɑː /

adjective

1. informal like or marked by boisterous and uncritical enthusiasm and excitement

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Usage

What does rah-rah mean? Rah-rah is an adjective used to describe an enthusiastic attitude or spirit or actions motivated by such spirit. It often implies that someone is cheering on supporting something in an uncritical or overly enthusiastic way. It’s especially associated with sports. The term is based on the word rah, which is shouted as a cheer, typically by cheerleaders or fans at sporting events. (Rah is used in traditional cheers like rah, rah, sis boom bah). Example: His rah-rah attitude about the company has prevented him from seeing its flaws.

Etymology

Origin of rah-rah

1910–15, reduplication of rah

Example Sentences

Are such distinctions too complicated for readers, needing to be buoyed by rah-rah of one kind or another?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

In fairness to her and SafeSport, that’s the way it always seems to go in the tribal politics of sports rah-rah.

From Salon • Feb. 22, 2026

In this sense, Hegseth’s rah-rah obsession with the “warrior ethos” is dangerously narrow.

From Slate • Sep. 5, 2025

They didn’t gather for some rah-rah speech about the “win or go home” game.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2023

Same kind of rah-rah this bowling-ball-head coach was kicking about this kid, Lu.

From "Ghost" by Jason Reynolds