cheerer-upper: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (rarely used, understood but low-frequency)Informal, colloquial, slightly humorous/playful
Quick answer
What does “cheerer-upper” mean?
A person or thing that makes someone feel happier or more cheerful.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person or thing that makes someone feel happier or more cheerful.
A comfort, a source of encouragement; a morale booster; a means of alleviating a low mood or boredom.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Understood in both varieties, but slightly more established in British English due to a greater productivity of this compounding pattern (e.g., fixer-upper). In AmE, the concept is more frequently expressed as 'pick-me-up' or 'mood booster'.
Connotations
Has a quaint, slightly dated, and consciously informal or folksy feel in both varieties. Can sound deliberately playful or affectionate.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but marginally more likely to be encountered in British informal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cheerer-upper” in a Sentence
act as a cheerer-upper for [someone]be a real cheerer-upperneed a cheerer-upperprovide a cheerer-upperVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cheerer-upper” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We needed something to cheer us up, and the surprise parcel did just that.
- She's always the one to cheer up a gloomy office.
American English
- I tried to cheer him up by suggesting we go for a drive.
- A funny movie can really cheer you up on a bad day.
adverb
British English
- They smiled cheerily as they handed over the gift.
- He waved cheerily from the departing train.
American English
- She cheerily agreed to help, despite the short notice.
- 'Good morning!' he called out cheerily.
adjective
British English
- It was such a cheering sight to see them arrive safely.
- He received some cheering news about the test results.
American English
- The crowd's reaction was very cheering for the performer.
- It's cheering to know so many people volunteered.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used. Would be considered unprofessional.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Used in informal conversation, often with humour or affection. e.g., 'This cup of tea is a real cheerer-upper.'
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cheerer-upper”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cheerer-upper”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cheerer-upper”
- Misspelling as 'cheer upper' or 'cheer-up-er'.
- Using it in formal writing.
- Mispronouncing with a strong pause between words /tʃɪər.ər/ /ʌp.ər/ instead of the compound rhythm /ˌtʃɪər.ərˈʌp.ər/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a single compound noun, almost always hyphenated as 'cheerer-upper'.
Yes, it can refer to a person who cheers others up, though it can also refer to an object or event.
In everyday speech, 'pick-me-up' is a more frequent and neutral synonym, especially in American English.
It is decidedly informal and has a playful, slightly old-fashioned or quaint connotation. It should not be used in formal writing.
A person or thing that makes someone feel happier or more cheerful.
Cheerer-upper: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtʃɪər.ər ˈʌp.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtʃɪr.ɚ ˈʌp.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[It's] just the cheerer-upper I needed”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine someone who CHIEFLY (sounds like 'cheer') UPs people - a cheer-UP-er, a cheerer-upper.
Conceptual Metaphor
HAPPINESS IS UP (raising someone's spirits). LOW MOOD IS DOWN (need to be lifted up). A cheerer-upper is an agent of elevation.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely context for using the word 'cheerer-upper'?