Etymology

cheer

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Today it means: A cheerful attitude; happiness; a good, happy, or positive mood. Full definition →

First used 14th c.Middle English chere ← Anglo-Norman chere ← Old French chiere
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cheer · noun, verb1

  1. Late Latin · derived fromcara“head”
  2. Old French · derived fromchiere“head, face; appearance; reception, hospitality; meal, dinner, food”
  3. Anglo-Norman · derived fromchere
  4. Middle English · inherited fromchere
  5. English todaycheer

From Middle English chere, from Anglo-Norman chere, from Old French chiere (“head, face; appearance; reception, hospitality; meal, dinner, food”) (Modern French chère), from Late Latin cara (“head”).

cheer · noun2

Clipping of cheerleading.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 14th c. A cheerful attitude; happiness; a good, happy, or positive mood.
  • from 18th c. A cry expressing joy, approval or support, such as "hurrah".
  • 13th–19th c. One's facial expression or countenance.
  • from 14th c. One's attitude, mood.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.