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.
Recent Examples on the Web
David Nikel, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
And hearing cheers, finally, at the Bell Centre, could be interesting.
—Pierre Lebrun, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
And at this moment, Los Angeles needs something to cheer about.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cheer 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Although snow is less likely before the turn of the year, a pre-Christmas trip to Oslo is still guaranteed to fill you with festive cheer.
—David Nikel, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
And hearing cheers, finally, at the Bell Centre, could be interesting.
—Pierre Lebrun, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
Verb
New York City Marathon Race day: November 2 The New York City Marathon is the world’s largest race—more than 55,000 finished in 2024—and is considered an unofficial holiday for the thousands of spectators who vigorously cheer as the runners make their way through all five boroughs.
—Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025
And at this moment, Los Angeles needs something to cheer about.
—Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for cheer
Dictionary Entries Near cheer
Cite this Entry
“Cheer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheer. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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