cheery

adjective

ˈchir-ē 

cheerier; cheeriest

1

: marked by cheerfulness or good spirits

2

: causing or suggesting cheerfulness

cheery music

cheerily

ˈchir-ə-lē 

adverb

cheeriness

ˈchir-ē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• blithe
• blithesome
• bright
• buoyant
• canty [British dialect]
• cheerful
• chipper
• eupeptic
• gay
• gladsome
• lightsome
• sunny
• upbeat
• winsome

Examples of cheery in a Sentence

a cheery grin on the host of the holiday party

a cheery, unexpected compliment can really make another person's day

Recent Examples on the Web

Remember the ’90s, when every incoming email triggered its own cheery alert and mailboxes overflowed with free CD-ROMs from AOL? —Thomas H. Ruggie, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

For two days only, Lilly Pulitzer is blossoming with discounts on its cheery dresses, skirts, pants, and more. —Alyssa Grabinski, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Now through Wednesday, April 23, save up to 63 percent off of bright, cheery styles that are perfect for travel. —Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 19 Apr. 2025

The finish on the paneling had all but dissolved with age so the firm opted to lacquer the paneling in a lighter color for a cheerier atmosphere. —Elizabeth Stamp, Architectural Digest, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cheery

• beery
• bleary
• cirri
• dearie
• deary
• dreary
• eerie
• kiri
• leary
• leery
• peery
• query

Kids Definition

cheery

adjective

ˈchi(ə)r-ē 

cheerier; cheeriest

: merry and bright in manner or effect : cheerful

cheerily

ˈchir-ə-lē 

adverb

cheeriness

ˈchir-ē-nəs 

noun