cheerful

adjective

cheer·​ful ˈchir-fəl How to pronounce cheerful (audio)
Synonyms of cheerfulnext
1
a
: full of good spirits : merry
a cheerful host
b
: ungrudging
cheerful obedience
2
: conducive to cheer : likely to dispel gloom or worry
sunny cheerful room
cheerfully
ˈchir-f(ə-)lē How to pronounce cheerful (audio)
adverb
cheerfulness
ˈchir-fəl-nəs How to pronounce cheerful (audio)
noun

Synonyms

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Examples of cheerful in a Sentence

She has a cheerful outlook on life. He seems a little more cheerful today.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Most people equate happiness with automatically being cheerful all the time. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025 Drawing daisies at the cuticle line of a couple nails paired with double French tips is a perfect recipe for a cute and cheerful mani. — Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 31 July 2025 Brown, a lively and cheerful youth, had recently beaten cancer. — Nathan Pilling july 25, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2025 Its arcing waterfront of colorful buildings is so cheerful that it was chosen as the setting of the BBC kids story Balamory. — Nicholas Derenzo, AFAR Media, 25 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for cheerful

Word History

Etymology

see cheer entry 1

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of cheerful was in the 15th century

Rhymes for cheerful

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Browse Nearby Words

cheer
cheerful
cheerfulize
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Cite this Entry

“Cheerful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheerful. Accessed 14 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

cheerful

adjective
cheer·​ful ˈchi(ə)r-fəl How to pronounce cheerful (audio)
1
a
: full of good spirits
a cheerful outlook
b
: willing sense 3
cheerful obedience
2
: pleasantly bright
a sunny cheerful room
cheerfully
-f(ə-)lē How to pronounce cheerful (audio)
adverb
cheerfulness
-fəl-nəs How to pronounce cheerful (audio)
noun

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