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.
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Recent Examples on the WebHedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2023
One big cheer from Giants’ fans: Giants fans booed the home team off the field as the first half ended and teams headed to the locker room.
—Kristi Scales, Dallas News, 11 Sep. 2023
Her pre-match TV interview, shown on the video screens in the arena, was drowned out by the sound of applause and cheers reverberating off the closed retractable roof.
—CBS News, 9 Sep. 2023
It’s packed with enough positivity to last a year, while the beautiful watercolor design will add some cheer to their cubicle.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2023
Color Adding the colors of the season is an easy way to include Christmas cheer throughout your home.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2023
Caleb Downs drew a big cheer from the Bryant-Denny Stadium crowd when he was announced as a starter for Alabama football.
—Matt Stahl | Mstahl@al.com, al, 4 Sep. 2023
Each time the applause started to die down, Korine waved his hands in the air like a conductor, and the cheers started up again.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 2 Sep. 2023
Her remarks drew cheers from her conservative constituents.
—Paul Kane, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2023
Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 14 Sep. 2023
As the armored vehicle carrying Cavalcante approached the police barracks in Avondale, some residents in the area lined the roadway cheering, pumping their fists in the air and applauding.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2023
When Rodgers went down in the first quarter of the game, the bar patrons cheered and began to run up their tabs, assuming the Bills would maintain their lead.
—Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023
The rain didn’t stop the barking and cheering from fans who gleefully witnessed a Browns’ home opener win, the first since 2004.
—Joshua Gunter, cleveland, 11 Sep. 2023
Thousands now add comments and send messages cheering him on.
—Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
After returning from Williamsport on Aug. 28, the team was cheered by a caravan on Main Street that attracted hundreds of people.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2023
When hundreds of people poured into the streets, cheering and chanting, Mr. Mickala waited a little longer before trusting the crowds.
—Sira Thierij, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2023
Cheerleaders handed them flowers and the crowd cheered as their names were announced.
—Alaina Bookman | Abookman@al.com, al, 1 Sep. 2023
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Noun
And after a few cheers from the group, the bus finally pulls up to Delvey's apartment — and a whole crowd of people and flashing lights.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 13 Sep. 2023
One big cheer from Giants’ fans: Giants fans booed the home team off the field as the first half ended and teams headed to the locker room.
—Kristi Scales, Dallas News, 11 Sep. 2023
Her pre-match TV interview, shown on the video screens in the arena, was drowned out by the sound of applause and cheers reverberating off the closed retractable roof.
—CBS News, 9 Sep. 2023
It’s packed with enough positivity to last a year, while the beautiful watercolor design will add some cheer to their cubicle.
—Kaitlyn McInnis, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Sep. 2023
Color Adding the colors of the season is an easy way to include Christmas cheer throughout your home.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2023
Caleb Downs drew a big cheer from the Bryant-Denny Stadium crowd when he was announced as a starter for Alabama football.
—Matt Stahl | Mstahl@al.com, al, 4 Sep. 2023
Each time the applause started to die down, Korine waved his hands in the air like a conductor, and the cheers started up again.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 2 Sep. 2023
Her remarks drew cheers from her conservative constituents.
—Paul Kane, Washington Post, 2 Sep. 2023
Verb
The Dow gained more than 330 points on Thursday, notching its best day since August as investors cheered the news.
SoftBank, which acquired Arm for $32 billion in 2016, will hold on to about 90% of the company’s shares.
—Nicole Goodkind, CNN, 14 Sep. 2023
As the armored vehicle carrying Cavalcante approached the police barracks in Avondale, some residents in the area lined the roadway cheering, pumping their fists in the air and applauding.
—Bill Hutchinson, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2023
When Rodgers went down in the first quarter of the game, the bar patrons cheered and began to run up their tabs, assuming the Bills would maintain their lead.
—Natasha Dye, Peoplemag, 12 Sep. 2023
The rain didn’t stop the barking and cheering from fans who gleefully witnessed a Browns’ home opener win, the first since 2004.
—Joshua Gunter, cleveland, 11 Sep. 2023
Thousands now add comments and send messages cheering him on.
—Ian Frazier, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
After returning from Williamsport on Aug. 28, the team was cheered by a caravan on Main Street that attracted hundreds of people.
—Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2023
When hundreds of people poured into the streets, cheering and chanting, Mr. Mickala waited a little longer before trusting the crowds.
—Sira Thierij, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2023
Cheerleaders handed them flowers and the crowd cheered as their names were announced.
—Alaina Bookman | Abookman@al.com, al, 1 Sep. 2023
See More
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.
Word History
Etymology
Noun and Verb
Middle English chere face, cheer, from Anglo-French, face, from Medieval Latin cara, probably from Greek kara head, face — more at cerebral
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 7b
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b
Time Traveler
The first known use of cheer was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing cheer
Dictionary Entries Near cheer
Cite this Entry
“Cheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheer. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on cheer
Nglish: Translation of cheer for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of cheer for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cheer
Love words? Need even more definitions?
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