English Reference

Word

cheer

US/ˈtʃɪɹ/

UK/tʃˈiə/

Definitions

01a shout of support

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Sports

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

n. 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.”

Antonyms

boojeer

02happiness or good mood

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. a feeling of happiness or a positive mood.

n. 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.”

Synonyms

happinessjoymerriment

Antonyms

03to shout support

B1 · Intermediate Sports

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

v. 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.”

Antonyms

boojeer

04to make someone happier

B1 · Intermediate

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

v. 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'.

Synonyms

Antonyms

depresssadden

05festive food and drink

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Cooking Literary

n. good food and drink served during a celebration.

n. 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.”

Synonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “cheer” in context.

Verb

01. bring cheer to the family

“The arrival of the new baby brought much-needed cheer to the family during a difficult winter.”

verb + noun + prep + noun

02. let out a cheer

“The crowd let out a loud cheer when the striker finally scored the winning goal.”

verb + noun

Adjective

03. a loud cheer

“A loud cheer erupted from the audience at the end of the performance.”

adj + noun

04. festive cheer

“The town square was filled with festive cheer as the Christmas lights were turned on.”

adj + noun

Noun

05. a roar of cheer

“A sudden roar of cheer went up from the stadium as the players entered the pitch.”

noun + of + noun

06. holiday cheer

“We spent the afternoon baking cookies to spread some holiday cheer among our neighbors.”

noun + noun

Preposition

07. full of cheer

“Despite the rainy weather, she arrived at the office full of cheer and ready to work.”

prep + noun

Real-World Examples

“Each touch of the ball was greeted by a mixture of boos and cheers, while some fans also celebrated when Fernandez was fouled.”
BBC News 15 Aug 2026
“Candidates on stage at the Clacton Leisure Centre, where the count was held, were seen cheering for each other as the results were announced, with many receiving fewer than 100 votes.”
Al Jazeera 14 Aug 2026

Etymology

From Middle English chere, from Anglo-Norman chere, from Old French chiere (“head, face; appearance; reception, hospitality; meal, dinner, food”) (Modern French chère), from Late Latin cara (“head”).

Clipping of cheerleading.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

INTERJECTION

Related words

Idioms

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Common
Level
B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
Updated

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