cheer
To shout with joy, approval, or encouragement, or the act of shouting itself. It also refers to a state of happiness or things that bring joy and optimism to a situation.
Cheer represents both the audible expression of support and the internal feeling of happiness.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Shouting or clapping to show support and enthusiasm.
- A state of happiness or a festive, optimistic mood.
- The act of making someone feel happier (cheer up).
Summary
Cheer represents both the audible expression of support and the internal feeling of happiness.
- Shouting or clapping to show support and enthusiasm.
- A state of happiness or a festive, optimistic mood.
- The act of making someone feel happier (cheer up).
Use 'cheer for' for sports support
Always use the preposition 'for' when you are supporting a team, such as 'I cheer for the Lakers.'
Don't confuse 'cheer' with 'chair'
Though they sound slightly similar, 'chair' is furniture and 'cheer' is a sound or feeling. Pay attention to the 'ee' sound.
Cheerleading in American Culture
In the US, cheerleading is a major organized activity where groups lead the crowd in specific 'cheers' during games.
Examples
4 of 4The children gave a loud cheer when the teacher announced there was no homework.
The news brought much cheer to the grieving family.
Hey, cheer up! Things aren't that bad.
The festive decorations added a sense of cheer to the hospital corridors.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'cheerleader'—their entire job is to lead a 'cheer' to make the crowd 'cheerful'.
Overview
'Cheer' is a multifaceted English word that serves as both a noun and a verb, fundamentally rooted in the expression of joy, vocal support, and emotional optimism. Its primary definition involves shouting or applauding to show approval or to encourage someone, but it also encompasses a broader sense of happiness and the act of lifting someone's spirits. The word originates from the Old French term for 'face,' reflecting how our expressions reveal our internal state. Today, it is most commonly recognized in high-energy environments like sports stadiums or festive gatherings.
Usage Patterns
When used as a verb, 'cheer' frequently appears in the construction 'cheer for [someone/something],' indicating partisan support. For example, 'Fans gathered to cheer for the marathon runners.' Another essential pattern is the phrasal verb 'cheer up.' This can be intransitive ('She cheered up after hearing the news') or transitive ('I bought flowers to cheer her up'). As a noun, it often appears in phrases like 'a shout of cheer' or 'full of cheer,' describing a festive atmosphere or a specific chant used by a crowd.
Common Contexts
Sports are perhaps the most dominant context, where 'cheers' are organized shouts led by cheerleaders or spontaneous roars from the crowd. Beyond sports, 'cheer' is a staple of the holiday season. 'Holiday cheer' or 'festive cheer' refers to the collective mood of happiness, generosity, and celebration during times like Christmas or New Year's. In a medical or recovery context, 'cheer' refers to the morale-boosting support given to those who are ill or struggling.
Similar Words Comparison
'Cheer' is often confused with 'applaud.' While both express approval, 'applaud' is strictly the act of clapping, whereas 'cheer' is primarily vocal. 'Cheer' also differs from 'root for'; while 'root for' is a general term for supporting a team (even from home), 'cheer' implies a physical, audible expression of that support. Furthermore, 'cheer' is more high-energy than 'comfort.' To comfort someone is to soothe their grief, while to cheer someone up is to actively try to make them laugh or smile again.
Usage Notes
The word is highly versatile and used in both spoken and written English. 'Cheer up' is almost exclusively used in informal or semi-formal spoken contexts. As a noun, 'cheer' is often associated with collective groups or specific festive seasons.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is saying 'cheer to someone' instead of 'cheer for someone.' Another error is using the noun 'cheer' when the adjective 'cheerful' is required (e.g., saying 'He is very cheer' instead of 'He is very cheerful').
Memory Tip
Think of a 'cheerleader'—their entire job is to lead a 'cheer' to make the crowd 'cheerful'.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French 'chiere', meaning 'face' or 'expression'. It originally referred to the look on someone's face before evolving to mean a happy expression specifically.
Cultural Context
In English-speaking cultures, especially the US and UK, 'cheering' is a vital part of sportsmanship and community during holidays like Christmas, where 'good cheer' is a common theme in carols and literature.
Examples
The children gave a loud cheer when the teacher announced there was no homework.
everydayThe news brought much cheer to the grieving family.
formalHey, cheer up! Things aren't that bad.
informalThe festive decorations added a sense of cheer to the hospital corridors.
academicWord Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
cheer up
be of good cheer
cheer someone on
Often Confused With
'Applaud' is the physical act of clapping hands, while 'cheer' is the vocal act of shouting.
'Root for' means to support a team generally, while 'cheer' is the specific audible action of supporting them.
Grammar Patterns
Use 'cheer for' for sports support
Always use the preposition 'for' when you are supporting a team, such as 'I cheer for the Lakers.'
Don't confuse 'cheer' with 'chair'
Though they sound slightly similar, 'chair' is furniture and 'cheer' is a sound or feeling. Pay attention to the 'ee' sound.
Cheerleading in American Culture
In the US, cheerleading is a major organized activity where groups lead the crowd in specific 'cheers' during games.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the word.
The crowd began to ___ when the player scored a goal.
The sentence requires a base verb to follow 'began to'.
Choose the best meaning for 'cheer up' in this context.
I brought some chocolate to cheer my sister up.
'Cheer up' means to improve someone's mood.
Put the words in the correct order.
for / team / the / cheered / they / loudly
The standard English word order is Subject + Verb + Adverb + Prepositional Phrase.
Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions'Cheer' is usually about shouting support or a general state of happiness, while 'cheer up' is a phrasal verb specifically used when someone's mood improves from sad to happy.
It is generally neutral. It can be used informally in sports or more formally in literature to describe a festive atmosphere.
While 'cheers' is a common British English greeting or toast, 'cheer' as a singular noun is not used as a greeting.
It refers to the spirit of joy, kindness, and celebration that people typically feel during the winter holiday season.
