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 of cheerful

• bright
• optimistic
• cheery
• sunny
• upbeat
• smiling
• buoyant

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

The French—and, later, Anglo (Wilde, Beardsley, Rossetti)—attitude, mannered and morbid, was perhaps too Old World, at odds with our cheerful, Protestant rapacity. —Olivia Kan-Sperling, Artforum, 2 May 2026

Fruit motifs are a bright and cheerful way to add a little retro charm to a tablescape or bar cart. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Apr. 2026

Above, the cheerful pair are pictured upon arrival at Parliament Hill for a Canada Day celebration on July 1. —Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026

At the Gotham Bar, ask the team for Conrad, cheerful and gracious, who can suggest a martini for your mood. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Apr. 2026

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