cheerful

1 of 2

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

cheerfulness

2 of 2

noun

cheer·​ful·​ness ˈchir-fəl-nəs 

plural -es

: the quality or state of being cheerful

Synonyms of cheerful

Adjective

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

Examples of cheerful in a Sentence

Adjective

She has a cheerful outlook on life.

He seems a little more cheerful today.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Jeon is marvelous in the role, allowing flashes of envy, resentment, and longing to surface beneath Mi-ok’s cheerful, accommodating manner without diminishing her warmth or loyalty. — Lisa Wong MacAbasco, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026

Further in the back, though, cheerful yellow walls surround a takeout counter where staff busily pack up orders of Laotian food for delivery and walk-in customers. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026

Traders woke up in a cheerful mood today, shaking off the riots in France and the rising price of oil. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026

Along the route, another driver yells out their window to say hi to Hollywell, while Ayo spots two friends on bicycles and greets them with a cheerful grin and full-body wave. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see cheer entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

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