cheer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cheer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express encouragement, support, or joy, often in the context of sports or celebrations. Example: "The crowd began to cheer as the team scored the winning goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hundreds of villagers came onto the streets to cheer the children on.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And although he will cheer himself hoarse this summer supporting Giovanni Trapattoni's side in Poland at the European Championships, he is not the kind of person to wrap himself up in a tricolour or knot a green, white and gold scarf around his neck.

The Guardian

But it would be wrong to read too much general market cheer into Kingfisher's better-than-expected 22% rise in interim pre-tax profits to £439m.

The Guardian - Business

Perhaps Bono, who has spent years persuading the world that there's an activist inside of each and every one of us, should set aside his pride and give the protesters in the crowd a cheer.

The Guardian - Opinion

To cheer him up, Claudia reads the old baron another excerpt from Inge's diary and we're back in 1864.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Related: Charles Kennedy's battle with the bottle and Britain's alcohol attitude problem | Letters Tales of extreme drunkenness are related between friends with "Good one, mate" cheer and pride.

The Guardian - Opinion

While the subsequent two months have provided little cheer, though, yesterday gave something close to the ideal conclusion.

The Guardian - Sport

So much here prefigures the tropes found in modern winter literature: family and friends gather for warmth and jollity, feasting is the order of the day, good cheer is lubricated by heroic quantities of booze … and then the stranger arrives.

The Guardian - Books

Parents seated on rows of wooden benches clap, cheer and take photographs on smartphones.

The Guardian

The figures, which put the government on track to meet its annual deficit reduction target, will cheer Tory backbenchers who have seen the Treasury consistently borrow more than projected over last four years.

The Guardian - Business

I also cheer myself up by rehashing conversations and remembering nights out with my best friends back home in London, and end up walking down the street laughing out loud.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cheer" to convey a sense of enthusiastic support or approval, particularly in contexts like sports events or celebratory gatherings.

Common error

Avoid using "cheer" in contexts where a more subdued expression of happiness or support is appropriate. Words such as "support" or "encourage" may be preferable in formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "cheer" is both as a verb, to express joy or approval vocally, and as a noun, referring to the act of expressing that joy. Ludwig AI's examples demonstrate its versatility in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

30%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cheer" is a frequently used English word functioning both as a noun and a verb to express support, joy, or approval. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically sound and contextually appropriate across diverse scenarios. While it's commonly found in sports, news, and lifestyle contexts, it may require careful consideration in more formal settings where alternatives like "support" or "approval" might be preferred. Understanding these nuances will help you effectively use "cheer" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

applaud

Implies a formal expression of approval or admiration, often through clapping.

encourage

Focuses on giving someone confidence or support to do something.

root for

Suggests enthusiastic support for a team or individual.

boost morale

Emphasizes improving the overall spirit or confidence of a group.

lift spirits

Focuses on making someone feel happier or more optimistic.

bring joy

Highlights the act of causing happiness or delight.

express approval

A more formal way of showing agreement or support.

show support

Indicates providing assistance or encouragement.

offer comfort

Suggests providing solace or reassurance in a time of distress.

imbue with optimism

Focuses on filling someone with a positive outlook.

FAQs

How can I use "cheer" in a sentence?

You can use "cheer" as a verb meaning to applaud or encourage, as in "The crowd cheered for the team". It can also be used as a noun, referring to a shout of approval or encouragement, such as "A loud cheer erupted from the audience".

What are some synonyms for "cheer"?

Alternatives to "cheer" include "applaud", "encourage", "root for", and "support", each carrying slightly different connotations of enthusiasm and approval.

What's the difference between "cheer" and "encourage"?

"Cheer" typically implies a more vocal and enthusiastic expression of support, often in a group setting, while "encourage" suggests providing someone with confidence or support to do something.

Is it correct to use "cheer" in formal writing?

While "cheer" is generally acceptable, it may be more appropriate to use more formal alternatives like "support" or "approval" in professional or academic contexts.