# cheer

/ˈtʃɪɹ/ (US) · /tʃˈiə/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cheer
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a shout of support

noun · CEFR B1

a loud shout of joy or support, often at a sports event.

For teachers: a vocal expression of approval, joy, or encouragement, typically delivered in a group setting.

- A loud cheer went up from the crowd when the striker scored the winning goal.
- The stadium erupted in a deafening cheer as the underdog team finally broke the deadlock in the closing minutes of the match.

### 2. happiness or good mood

noun · CEFR B2

a feeling of happiness or a positive mood.

For teachers: a state of mind characterised by happiness, optimism, or high spirits.

- The bright decorations brought a bit of holiday cheer to the office.
- Despite the cold weather, the festive market was filled with warmth and Christmas cheer as families gathered around the stalls.

### 3. to shout support

verb · CEFR B1

to shout loudly to show you support a person or a team.

For teachers: to express approval or encouragement through vocal shouts or applause.

- We stood by the side of the road to cheer for the marathon runners.
- The fans continued to cheer their team on even after it became clear that a comeback was statistically impossible.

### 4. to make someone happier

verb · CEFR B1

to make someone feel happier or more hopeful, especially when they are sad.

For teachers: to gladden or comfort someone; frequently used as a phrasal verb with 'up'.

- I bought some flowers to cheer her up after she had a difficult day at work.
- The news of the recovery served to cheer the entire family, who had been waiting anxiously for an update from the hospital.

Usage: Often used as the phrasal verb 'cheer up'.

### 5. festive food and drink

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary

good food and drink served during a celebration.

For teachers: provisions, especially food and drink, prepared for a festive or social occasion.

- The table was loaded with traditional holiday cheer for all the guests.
- The host spared no expense, providing an abundance of festive cheer that kept the conversation flowing well into the night.

## Examples

- A loud cheer went up from the crowd.
- The news of the team's victory brought much-needed cheer to the small town after a difficult month.
- The festive decorations and warm lighting were designed to spread holiday cheer among the weary travelers waiting in the terminal.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.