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

Clueless continues to be a beloved reference point for fashion lovers thanks to costume designer Mony May’s cheerful mix of colorful, teen-friendly designer fashions. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026

Creeping phlox is a great choice for edging, rock walls, or slopes, and will brighten any garden with its abundance of cheerful pastel blooms. —Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026

Daisies look more cute and cheerful than ever when paired with green cat-eye polish. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026

Even owner Michael Andlauer, walking tall through the event-level hallway past the media horde, felt cheerful. —Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 1 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