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
Laura McCusker3
: state of mind or heart : spirit
… be of good cheer …—Matthew 9:2 (King James Version)
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
T. B. Macaulay6
: something that gladdens
words of cheer
7
a
archaic
: facial expression
b
obsolete
: face
cheered; cheering; cheers
1
: to utter a shout of applause or triumph
What is there to cheer about?
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
Nikki Taylor4
obsolete
: to be mentally or emotionally disposed
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
William Wordsworth2
: 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
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 WebJim Lindgren, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
The last time North Texas had front row seats to the phenomenon was in 1878 when shouts and cheers erupted as the moon’s shadow passed over the midday sun.
—David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2024
Green Dirt hosted a watch party for Tuesday’s vote, and the crowd erupted in cheers as the proposal went down, 58% to 42%.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
Jumbotrons captured the sweet moment, which made the crowd cheer even louder.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2024
There’s been at least some reason for cheer lately, despite predictions that 2024 will be a rough year at the box office thanks to the lack of big theatrical releases after six months of labor strikes overhauled studios’ calendars.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Walker and Maye later connect on another 60-yard strike that earns some cheers.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 29 Mar. 2024
In their twilight, the Greatest Generation, especially the Rosies, are finding fame
A representative of the American Rosie the Riveter Association Michigan Willow Run Chapter will attend the celebration and a special Rosie Drill Team cheer will be performed to honor Bandyke.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 27 Mar. 2024
The cheers of the crowd upon scoring the winning goal, the sense of invincibility crossing the finish line first, and the excitement of competing at the highest echelons encapsulate the life of a professional athlete.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
The people alongside the road are all cheering for us.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
His not-guilty verdict—announced on October 3, 1995, another seminal date in 1990s history—was cheered by many Black Americans, and derided by white ones.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 11 Apr. 2024
When the Grammy winner finished, the lights flashed rainbow colors, and the crowd cheered loudly.
—Ilana Kaplan, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
But the measures have cheered labor unions, environmental groups and other key members of Mr. Biden’s political support base, particularly in the swing states of the industrial Midwest.
—Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024
The hundreds on Luna Pier beach cheered as the darkness reached its peak, and the total eclipse could be viewed in the sky with the naked eye, the sun's glowing, dancing corona edge visible around a jet-black circle.
—Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
Michelle was whooping it up at her station, having a blast and encouraging the guests to cheer and get loud for the festival ahead.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
This week, Sinha was again cheering the Modi government.
—Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
Noun
Like her offspring, Cari was a standout student-athlete at Bellevue East High School in Nebraska, earning letters in gymnastics and diving while also on the cheer squad.
—Jim Lindgren, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024
The last time North Texas had front row seats to the phenomenon was in 1878 when shouts and cheers erupted as the moon’s shadow passed over the midday sun.
—David Montesino, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2024
Green Dirt hosted a watch party for Tuesday’s vote, and the crowd erupted in cheers as the proposal went down, 58% to 42%.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 5 Apr. 2024
Jumbotrons captured the sweet moment, which made the crowd cheer even louder.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 3 Apr. 2024
There’s been at least some reason for cheer lately, despite predictions that 2024 will be a rough year at the box office thanks to the lack of big theatrical releases after six months of labor strikes overhauled studios’ calendars.
—Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024
Walker and Maye later connect on another 60-yard strike that earns some cheers.
—Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 29 Mar. 2024
In their twilight, the Greatest Generation, especially the Rosies, are finding fame
A representative of the American Rosie the Riveter Association Michigan Willow Run Chapter will attend the celebration and a special Rosie Drill Team cheer will be performed to honor Bandyke.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 27 Mar. 2024
The cheers of the crowd upon scoring the winning goal, the sense of invincibility crossing the finish line first, and the excitement of competing at the highest echelons encapsulate the life of a professional athlete.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Verb
Gun violence prevention groups cheered the action this week.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024
The people alongside the road are all cheering for us.
—The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024
His not-guilty verdict—announced on October 3, 1995, another seminal date in 1990s history—was cheered by many Black Americans, and derided by white ones.
—Sean Gregory, TIME, 11 Apr. 2024
When the Grammy winner finished, the lights flashed rainbow colors, and the crowd cheered loudly.
—Ilana Kaplan, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
But the measures have cheered labor unions, environmental groups and other key members of Mr. Biden’s political support base, particularly in the swing states of the industrial Midwest.
—Jim Tankersley, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024
The hundreds on Luna Pier beach cheered as the darkness reached its peak, and the total eclipse could be viewed in the sky with the naked eye, the sun's glowing, dancing corona edge visible around a jet-black circle.
—Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
Michelle was whooping it up at her station, having a blast and encouraging the guests to cheer and get loud for the festival ahead.
—Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
This week, Sinha was again cheering the Modi government.
—Gerry Shih, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cheer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cheer
Cite this Entry
“Cheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheer. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cheer
2 of 2 verb1
: 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
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