Cheer
Pronunciation
- IPA: /t͡ʃɪə(ɹ)/
- UK IPA: /t͡ʃɪə(ɹ)/
- US IPA: /t͡ʃɪɹ/
- Rhymes: -ɪə(r)
Origin
From Anglo-Norman chere, from Old French chiere, from Late Latin cara.
Full definition of cheer
Noun
cheer
(countable and uncountable; plural cheers)- (obsolete) The face. 13th-16th c.
- 1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte d'Arthur, Book XIII:on the morne they departed, with wepyng chere, and than every knyght toke the way that hym lyked beste.
- 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, I.50:Heraclitus taking pitie and compassion of the very same condition of ours, was continually seene with a sad, mournfull, and heavie cheere , and with teares trickling downe his blubbered eyes.
- (obsolete) One's expression or countenance. 13th-19th c.
- 1596, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, V.7:‘thorough evill rest of this last night,
Or ill apayd or much dismayd ye be;
That by your change of cheare is easie for to see.’ - (archaic) One's attitude, mood. from 14th c.
- 1526, William Tyndale, trans. Bible, Mark VI:And anon he talked with them, and sayde unto them: be of good chere, it is I, be not afrayed.
- (uncountable) A cheerful attitude; gaiety; mirth. from 14th c.
- William Shakespeare (1564-1616)I have not that alacrity of spirit,
Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have. - That which promotes good spirits or cheerfulness; provisions prepared for a feast; entertainment.a table loaded with good cheer
- 1922, Ben Travers, A Cuckoo in the Nest Chapter 1, “… the awfully hearty sort of Christmas cards that people do send to other people that they don't know at all well. You know. The kind that have mottoes like
Here's rattling good luck and roaring good cheer,
With lashings of food and great hogsheads of beer. …†- A cry expressing joy, approval or support such as "hurray". from 18th c.A cheer rose from the crowd.
- Tennyson (1809-1892)Welcome her, thundering cheer of the street.
- A chant made in support of a team at a sports event.
Synonyms
Verb
- (transitive) To gladden; to make cheerful; often with up.We were cheered by the offer of a cup of tea.
- (transitive) To infuse life, courage, animation, or hope, into; to inspirit; to solace or comfort.
- DrydenThe proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered.
- (ambitransitive) To applaud or encourage with cheers or shouts.The crowd cheered in support of the athletes.The crowd cheered the athletes.