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

In the Role Model book, Troy Barrett is a hockey player on Ilya’s team with a history of bullying, while Harris Drover is the team’s cheerful social media manager. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2026

Outdoor brands like Halfdays, FP Movement, Patagonia, and Athleta have quite frankly never looked better, with cheerful colorways, unique designs, and trail-ready pieces all proving that function doesn’t have to mean boring. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Aug. 2026

This cheerful floral top gives me the same playful energy as Farm Rio, just without the sticker shock. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026

This butter yellow set gets an extra dose of charm with delicate floral accents, creating a soft, cheerful look that’s perfect for easing into the new school year. — Odeya Pinkus, InStyle, 4 Aug. 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