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

• 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

So add delightful micro-interactions such as a friendly animation when a task is completed or a cheerful message after a signup to help build memory and create emotional stickiness. —Phil Portman, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

The show’s world slowly expands; we’re introduced to a biker gang that traffics fentanyl up and down the East Coast, a handful of inexperienced agents and state police officers who get absorbed into Tom’s task force, stray villains with face tattoos, cheerful water-ice vendors. —Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025

So who’s this cheerful soul on the phone? —Lawrence Toppman, Charlotte Observer, 17 Sep. 2025

Fall favorites for pollinators Sunflowers (Helianthus) The Kansas state flower, the sunflower (Helianthus annuus), is more than just a cheerful bloom. —Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025

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