cheer

1 of 2

noun

ˈchir 

1

a

: a shout of applause or encouragement

The players were greeted with loud cheers.

b

US : the activity of organized cheerleading

With autumn approaching, evenings at Stringham Pitcher Park are again alive with the sounds of football and cheer.

—Laura McCusker

2

: lightness of mind and feeling : animation, gaiety

faces full of cheer

3

: state of mind or heart : spirit

… be of good cheer …

—Matthew 9:2 (King James Version)

4

: hospitable entertainment : welcome

5

: food and drink for a feast : fare

… every table was loaded with good cheer.

—T. B. Macaulay

6

: something that gladdens

words of cheer

7

a

archaic : facial expression

b

obsolete : face

cheer

2 of 2

verb

cheered; cheering; cheers

intransitive verb

1

: to utter a shout of applause or triumph

What is there to cheer about?

2

: to grow or be cheerful : rejoice

—usually used with up

Cheer up! Things could be worse.

3

US : to perform as a cheerleader

A gymnast from the age of 3, she switched to cheerleading in middle school. Rink cheered for three years for her middle school and became a cheerleader for Penn.

—Nikki Taylor

4

obsolete : to be mentally or emotionally disposed

transitive verb

1

a

: to make glad or happy

—usually used with up

clowns who cheer up children in hospitals

b

: to instill with hope or courage : comfort

—usually used with up

… cheer desponding men with new-born hope.

—William Wordsworth

2

: to urge on or encourage especially by shouts

cheered the team on

3

: to applaud with shouts

The contest winner was cheered as she accepted the trophy.

cheerer noun

Synonyms

Noun

• cheerfulness
• cheeriness
• festivity
• gaiety
• gayety
• gayness
• glee
• gleefulness
• hilarity
• jocundity
• joviality
• merriment
• merriness
• mirth
• mirthfulness

Verb

• acclaim
• accredit
• applaud
• crack up
• hail
• laud
• praise
• salute
• tout

Examples of cheer in a Sentence

Noun

The audience let out a cheer.

Loud cheers were coming from the bleachers.

The star was greeted with cheers.

Let's spread a little holiday cheer.

The cheerleaders did a cheer for the home team.

Verb

The crowd cheered as he crossed the finish line.

We were cheering for you all the way!

The crowd cheered him as he crossed the finish line.

Their fans cheered them to victory.

Supporters cheered the court's decision.

Investors were cheered by good economic news.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Trump asked how many have already voted, to some cheers. —Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 23 Oct. 2024

Taking the stage in Madison, Tim Walz brought deafening cheers from the growing crowd inside the Alliant Energy Center. —Laura Schulte, Journal Sentinel, 23 Oct. 2024

Verb

Taylor Swift has brought her Eras Tour to The Big Easy — and her BFFs Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds were there to cheer her on! —Jeff Nelson, People.com, 26 Oct. 2024

On the American side, Philadelphians cheered and waved to their connections across the pond. —Olatunji Osho-Williams, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Middle English chere face, cheer, from Anglo-French, face, from Medieval Latin cara, probably from Greek kara head, face — more at cerebral

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 7b

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b

Phrases Containing cheer

• be of good cheer
• Bronx cheer
• cheer on
• cheer up

Kids Definition

cheer

1 of 2 noun

ˈchi(ə)r 

1

: state of mind or heart : spirit

be of good cheer

2

: good spirits

full of cheer

3

: something that gladdens

words of cheer

4

: a shout of praise or encouragement

three cheers for our side

cheer

2 of 2 verb

1

: to give hope to or make happier : comfort

cheer up a sick person

2

: to urge on especially with shouts or cheers

cheer the team to victory

3

: to shout with joy, approval, or enthusiasm

the audience cheered loudly

4

: to grow or be cheerful : rejoice

—usually used with up

he cheered up at the news