What does "cheer" mean?
Cheer: Feeling; spirit; state of mind or heart. Be of good cheer. Matt. ix.
Additional senses
- 2.The parents . . . fled away with heavy cheer. Holland.
- 3.Gayety; mirth; cheerfulness; animation. I have not that alacrity of spirit, Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have. Shak.
- 4.That which promotes good spirits or cheerfulness; provisions prepared for a feast; entertainment; as, a table loaded with good cheer.
- 5.A shout, hurrah, or acclamation, expressing joy enthusiasm, applause, favor, etc. Welcome her, thundering cheer of the street. Tennyson. Whzt cheer Now do you fare What is there that is cheering
- 6.To cause to rejoice; to gladden; to make cheerful; -- often with up. Cowpe.
- 7.To infuse life, courage, animation, or hope, into; to inspirit; to solace or comfort. The proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered. Dryden.
- 8.To salute or applaud with cheers; to urge on by cheers; as, to cheer hounds in a chase. To cheer ship, to salute a passing ship by cheers of sailors stationed in the rigging.
- 9.To grow cheerful; to become gladsome or joyous; -- usually with up. At sight of thee my gloomy soul cheers up. A. Philips.
- 10.To be in any state or temper of mind. [Obs.] How cheer'st thou, Jessica Shak.
- 11.To utter a shout or shouts of applause, triumph, etc. And even the ranks of Tusculum Could scare forbear to cheer. Macaulay.
Sources
- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).
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- Published: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00 · Modified: 2026-07-17T00:00:00-07:00