cheerful

adjective

cheer·​ful ˈchir-fəl 

1

a

: full of good spirits : merry

a cheerful host

b

: ungrudging

cheerful obedience

2

: conducive to cheer : likely to dispel gloom or worry

sunny cheerful room

cheerfully

ˈchir-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

cheerfulness

ˈchir-fəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of cheerful

• bright
• optimistic
• cheery
• sunny
• upbeat
• smiling
• buoyant

Examples of cheerful in a Sentence

She has a cheerful outlook on life.

He seems a little more cheerful today.

Recent Examples on the Web

Television cameras turned to a cheerful group of Imai’s family and friends seated above the first-base dugout. —Chandler Rome, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026

The Royals’ home opener is a day for cheerful optimism and excitement about the season ahead. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026

The less cheerful part of all this is that Great America is unlikely to celebrate a 52nd birthday. —Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026

For generations of Valley families, this scene has unfolded at Castles N' Coasters, a cheerful outpost of fun in the desert that lives in nearly everyone's memory. —Tiffany Acosta, AZCentral.com, 25 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see cheer entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for cheerful

• fearful
• tearful

Kids Definition

cheerful

adjective

cheer·​ful ˈchi(ə)r-fəl 

1

a

: full of good spirits

a cheerful outlook

b

: willing sense 3

cheerful obedience

2

: pleasantly bright

a sunny cheerful room

cheerfully

-f(ə-)lē 

adverb

cheerfulness

-fəl-nəs 

noun