cheerful

adjective

cheer·​ful ˈchir-fəl 

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 

adverb

cheerfulness

ˈchir-fəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• blithe
• blithesome
• bright
• buoyant
• canty [British dialect]
• cheery
• chipper
• eupeptic
• gay
• gladsome
• lightsome
• sunny
• upbeat
• winsome

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

Plus, their cheerful blooms and tall stems ensure these flowers will be a striking addition to any landscape. —Renee Freemon Mulvihill, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Mar. 2025

Madison Small Satchel Add a pop of color to your spring apparel with this cheerful yellow bag. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2025

Minnie is always cheerful, resourceful, and kind, often helping her friends with her intelligence and creativity. —Lauryn Higgins, Parents, 12 Mar. 2025

Whoever’s scolding me from a tree, evacuating their bowels onto my car, chattering away with their nonstop, cheerful blather, or just giving me a smarmy look from my own book — THAT is my least favorite bird right now. —Matt Kracht, People.com, 11 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see cheer entry 1

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for cheerful

• fearful
• tearful

Kids Definition

cheerful

adjective

cheer·​ful ˈchi(ə)r-fəl 

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 

adverb

cheerfulness

-fəl-nəs 

noun