cheerful
CHEERFL
Cheerful (adj) means Visibly happy and full of good spirits. Example: “She greeted every customer with a cheerful smile.”
adj
1
Visibly happy and full of good spirits.
"She greeted every customer with a cheerful smile."
"He's always cheerful, even on Mondays."
2
Bright and pleasant, describing a place or thing rather than a person.
"They painted the nursery a cheerful yellow."
How to use cheerful
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn a good, upbeat mood — or bright and pleasant if describing a place.
Common pairings
cheerful smile
cheerful disposition
stay cheerful
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like cheerful.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more cheerful, cheerfuler, cheerfuller
- Superlative
- most cheerful, cheerfullest, cheerfulest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She greeted every customer with a _____ smile.
Etymology
From Middle English chereful, built from cheer (mood) plus the suffix -ful.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for cheerful
See all rhymes for cheerful →Frequently asked questions
What does “cheerful” mean?
The word “cheerful” means visibly happy and full of good spirits. In plain terms, in a good, upbeat mood — or bright and pleasant if describing a place.
How do you pronounce “cheerful”?
“Cheerful” is pronounced CHEERFL (/ˈt͡ʃɪɹfl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “cheerful” in a sentence?
Here is “cheerful” used in a sentence: “She greeted every customer with a cheerful smile.”
What part of speech is “cheerful”?
“Cheerful” is an adjective.
Where does the word “cheerful” come from?
The word “cheerful” comes from Middle English. From Middle English chereful, built from cheer (mood) plus the suffix -ful.
Is “cheerful” a common word?
“Cheerful” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “cheerful” have?
“Cheerful” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: visibly happy and full of good spirits.
What is the difference between cheerful and happy?
Cheerful specifically describes a visible, outward display of good spirits, often in demeanor or tone, while happy describes a broader internal state of contentment that may or may not be outwardly shown. A person can be happy without appearing cheerful, but cheerful implies the good mood is noticeable.
Can cheerful describe things as well as people?
Yes, cheerful can describe a place or thing as bright and pleasant, such as a 'cheerful kitchen' or 'cheerful colours,' not just a person's mood. In this sense it refers to an inviting, pleasant quality rather than an emotional state.
Is cheerful a formal or casual word?
Cheerful is a neutral, everyday word suitable for both casual and formal contexts, describing a positive, upbeat quality without being slang. It works equally well in descriptions of people, places, or writing.
