cheerful

adjective

cheer·​ful ˈchir-fəl How to pronounce cheerful (audio)
Synonyms of cheerful
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 of cheerful

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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.
Ivan's driver, a cheerful man in a balaclava, tells them that the bus weighs seventy thousand pounds. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 Beyond Ningyocho station, cheap and cheerful izakaya sit next to longstanding kaiseki and sushi restaurants in heritage buildings, remnants of the era when this was Yoshicho, one of Tokyo's geisha quarters. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Aug. 2026 The fragrance is a delicious mix of sweet, fruity, and floral, thanks to notes of citrus, agave, and jasmine, offering a bright and cheerful scent to your space. — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 26 Aug. 2026 The town is also locally known for its cheerful embrace of all things Christmas as well. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 21 Aug. 2026 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

cheerer
cheerful
cheerfulize
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Cite this Entry

“Cheerful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cheerful. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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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