cheer

SayCHEER/t͡ʃɪɹ/UK · AUS/t͡ʃɪə̯/

Pluralcheers

Verbcheers, cheering, cheered

12 meanings of cheer

Practice

1
nouncountable
A loud shout that shows joy, approval, or support.
Like everyone shouting 'yay!' at the same time.
A loud cheer rose from the stands when she scored.
We heard happy cheers all around the playground.
Similarapplause, acclaim, acclamation, clapping
Oppositeboo
Note
2
verbtransitive or intransitive
To shout loudly to support or praise someone.
Like clapping and shouting to show you are happy for someone.
Fans cheer whenever their team runs onto the field.
We cheered until our voices were gone.
Similarhurrah, hurray
Oppositeboo
Note
3
noununcountable
A happy, positive mood or feeling.
Like the good feeling you get on a sunny day.
The warm room filled everyone with cheer.
Her visit brought a little cheer to the lonely patients.
Similarhappiness, joy, gladness, merriment, gaiety
Oppositegloom, sadness, misery
Note
4
nouncountable
A chant that fans shout to support their team at a game.
Like a song the fans shout together for their team.
The team's cheer echoed across the stadium.
Both schools have their own cheers for game day.
Similarchant, yell
5
verbtransitive
To make someone feel happier.
Like turning a sad face into a smiling one.
A funny card can cheer a sick friend.
We tried to cheer up our grandmother after the bad news.
Similargladden, please, delight, hearten, gratify
Oppositesadden, depress, dishearten
6
verbfigurativelytransitive
To strongly support or feel excited about something.
Like clapping inside your head for an idea you love.
Many people cheer every step toward cleaner energy.
Critics cheered the bold new policy.
Similarhail, salute
Oppositeboo, lament, decry, deplore
7
noununcountable
Food, drink, and fun prepared for a special celebration.
Like all the good food and games at a birthday party.
The table was loaded with holiday cheer.
Guests enjoyed the cheer laid out for the feast.
Similarhospitality, fare, festivity
Note
8
verbtransitive
To give someone hope, courage, or comfort.
Like a warm light that gives you hope in the dark.
Kind words can cheer a frightened child.
The captain's speech cheered the tired sailors.
Similarcomfort, console, soothe, inspire, invigorate
Oppositedishearten, discourage, demoralize
9
nounCanadaUSuncountable
The sport of cheerleading, done as a team competition.
Like a team sport where you dance, jump, and shout together.
She joined the school's cheer team this year.
He has practiced cheer since middle school.
Note

Less common meanings

10
nounarchaiccountable or uncountable
A person's mood or state of mind.
Like the mood you carry with you all day.
Be of good cheer, for help is on the way.
And anon he talked with them, and sayde unto them: be of good chere, it is I, be not afrayed.
1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt (Tyndale Bible)Here, chere means mood, so be of good cheer means be in good spirits.
Note
11
nounobsoletecountable or uncountable
The look on a person's face.
‘thorough evill rest of this last night, / Or ill apayd or much dismayd ye be; / That by your change of cheare is easie for to see.’
1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneHere, cheare means the look on a person's face.
And soo on the morne they were alle accorded that they shold departe eueryche from other / And on the morne they departed with wepynge chere / and euery knyȝt took the way that hym lyked best
1485, Sir Thomas Malory, “viij”Here, chere means the look on their faces, so they left with crying faces.
Note
12
verbobsoletetransitive
To urge someone to do something.
Like a coach pushing players to keep trying.
The captain would cheer his men to press on through the night.
They cheered the hounds to the chase.
Similarencourage, motivate, incite, push, drive
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of cheer apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–8, 10–12

It came through Middle English and Old French from a Late Latin word 'cara', meaning 'head'.

Meaning 9

A shortened form of the word 'cheerleading'.