cheerful

/ˈtʃɪəfl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtʃɪrfl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈchir-fəl/ (ame, mw)

cheerful — adjective

  • cheerfulpositive
  • more cheerfulcomparative
  • most cheerfulsuperlative

1. feeling happy and communicating that feeling through your smile, tone of voice,

1.形容詞B1
釋義

feeling happy and communicating that feeling through your smile, tone of voice, or general manner — for example, greeting people warmly or humming while you work.

例句

Little Mira gave her grandmother a cheerful wave before running off to play.

attributive use: cheerful + wave

Despite the heavy rain, the bus driver remained cheerful and greeted everyone with a smile.

linking verb: remained + cheerful

同義詞
  • happy

    the most general word; cheerful adds the idea of visibly showing happiness

  • upbeat

    informal; focuses on a positive, optimistic outlook

  • bright

    lively and quick to smile; can also describe appearance

  • joyful

    stronger and more emotional than cheerful, often tied to a specific cause

反義詞
  • sad

    the opposite emotional state

  • gloomy

    suggests a dark, pessimistic mood

  • miserable

    much stronger; suggests deep unhappiness

文法句型

be / feel / look / sound / remain + cheerful

cheerful + noun

用法筆記

Unlike 'happy', which can describe a brief reaction to a single event, 'cheerful' more often suggests a lasting mood or general disposition that is visible to others. Frequently used with linking verbs such as 'look', 'sound', 'feel', 'seem', and 'remain'.

常見錯誤

❌I am very cheerful to meet you.
✅I am very happy / pleased to meet you.
💡'Cheerful' describes a general mood or disposition, not a reaction to a specific event or person.

2. describing a room, building, or outdoor space that is full of light, colour, and

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describing a room, building, or outdoor space that is full of light, colour, and an inviting quality — so that being there naturally lifts your mood.

例句

The café had cheerful yellow curtains that made the whole room feel warm.

attributive: cheerful + yellow curtains

A vase of cheerful sunflowers stood on the kitchen table near the window.

同義詞
  • bright

    focuses on light and colour more directly than cheerful

  • sunny

    more informal; suggests warmth and natural light

  • lively

    emphasises energy and activity rather than appearance

  • pleasant

    milder; does not necessarily imply brightness or colour

反義詞
  • gloomy

    dark, dull, and depressing

  • dreary

    dull and boring, often with bad weather

  • drab

    lacking colour and interest

文法句型

cheerful + noun

look / seem / feel + cheerful

用法筆記

This sense is most common in attributive position (before a noun): a cheerful room, cheerful decor, cheerful colours. When used predicatively (the room looks cheerful), it often pairs with a modifier: 'quite cheerful', 'really cheerful'. Avoid using it for food, drink, or taste.

常見錯誤

❌This soup tastes cheerful.
✅This soup tastes fresh and bright.
💡'Cheerful' describes appearance and atmosphere, not flavour.