good cheer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2 - Literary/FormalLiterary, formal, old-fashioned, occasionally poetic. Rare in casual modern speech.
Quick answer
What does “good cheer” mean?
A cheerful, optimistic, or happy state of mind.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cheerful, optimistic, or happy state of mind; a feeling of happiness and friendliness.
Friendly entertainment, food, and drink provided for social enjoyment, often linked to hospitality and festive gatherings (e.g., "eating and drinking all the good cheer").
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The phrase has the same meaning and similar frequency in both. More likely to appear in formal toasts, literary contexts, or holiday-related materials.
Connotations
Evokes a slightly old-fashioned, Dickensian, or festive warmth. Often associated with Christmas ("tidings of comfort and joy") and traditional feasts.
Frequency
Extremely low in everyday modern spoken language. Higher in written, literary, or deliberately traditional/ceremonial contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “good cheer” in a Sentence
to be full of good cheerto bring good cheer to someoneto spread good cheertidings/messages of good cheerVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “good cheer” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – 'good cheer' is not a verb.
American English
- N/A – 'good cheer' is not a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A – 'good cheer' is not an adverb.
American English
- N/A – 'good cheer' is not an adverb.
adjective
British English
- N/A – 'good cheer' is not an adjective. The related adjective is 'cheerful'.
American English
- N/A – 'good cheer' is not an adjective. The related adjective is 'cheerful'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used formulaically in a very traditional holiday message to staff ("We wish you all good cheer for the festive season").
Academic
Very rare, except in historical or literary analysis discussing concepts of festivity, hospitality, or emotional states in texts.
Everyday
Rare in modern casual speech. May be used self-consciously or humorously, often around holidays ("Bringing some good cheer to the party!").
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “good cheer”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “good cheer”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “good cheer”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a good cheer'). It is almost always uncountable. Mistaking it for the verb 'to cheer' (e.g., 'They gave a good cheer for the team').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A 'good mood' is a personal, often temporary, emotional state. 'Good cheer' implies a more sustained, often outwardly expressed, and sometimes communal state of happiness and friendliness, with possible connotations of festivity.
It would sound very old-fashioned and out of place in most modern business contexts, except perhaps in a highly formulaic, traditional holiday greeting to a wide audience.
Yes. 'Cheer' can be a shout of encouragement (a cheer), a general mood ('be of good cheer'), or festive food/drink ('Christmas cheer'). 'Good cheer' specifically emphasizes the positive, happy, and hospitable aspect. 'Christmas cheer' is a common collocation.
Common conceptual opposites include 'gloom', 'despondency', or 'melancholy'. A person lacking good cheer might be described as 'morose', 'sullen', or 'glum'.
A cheerful, optimistic, or happy state of mind.
Good cheer is usually literary, formal, old-fashioned, occasionally poetic. rare in casual modern speech. in register.
Good cheer: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡʊd ˈtʃɪə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡʊd ˈtʃɪr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Eat, drink, and be merry.”
- “Be of good cheer.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Santa Claus saying "Ho ho ho!" – he is the classic figure of **good cheer**, spreading happiness and bringing gifts (the literal 'good cheer').
Conceptual Metaphor
HAPPINESS IS WARMTH / HAPPINESS IS A SUBSTANCE THAT CAN BE SPREAD. Good cheer is treated as something you can 'bring', 'spread', or be 'full' of.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is the phrase 'good cheer' LEAST likely to be used naturally?