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cheerily

cheerily

3 2.5
In a happy, friendly way
  • adverb
  • /ˈtʃɪrɪli/
translation icon : alegremente
  • The woman bringing the specially prepared formulas up from dietary waved at her cheerily with the fingers of a rubber-gloved hand.
  • said cheerily
  • greeted cheerily
  • waved cheerily

Examples

  • " Well," I said cheerily, "I suppose you will now be leaving us?"

    Fiction book (1998)
  • "Every day," his mother cheerily returned, "should be his yahrzeit."

    Academic text (2007)
  • "Time to go out on the town," she sang out cheerily.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "What you're saying is, we should start our family now, right?" I said cheerily.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Diane paused for a moment, then said cheerily, "Well, I caught you!" Bob whirled around.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • "Everybody except Dr. Jay has gone home already," Alvirah volunteered cheerily.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • The beautiful yet married stewardess passed through the plane smiling cheerily, checking seatbelts and taking drink orders from the passengers.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • "That's the best time to start," he replied cheerily and padded down the passageway.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "Top o' the mornin', boss," she said cheerily, hefting a mug of steaming coffee.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • "Top o' the mornin', boss," she said cheerily, hefting a mug of steaming coffee.

Synonyms

happily
vscheerily
279 1.0

Do something in a cheerful way

is a more upbeat and warm manner rather than plain calmness
with a smile
vscheerily
67 1.0

In a friendly way while smiling

is broader and need not involve a facial smile
pleasantly
vscheerily
50 1.0

In a friendly and enjoyable way

is more emotionally upbeat rather than merely agreeable
cheerfully
vscheerily
34 1.0

In a happy, friendly way that shows you want to help

is the same meaning but differs in word form or usage
heartily
vscheerily
29 3.4

In a strong, happy, and sincere way

is gentler and more moderate rather than intense enthusiasm
merrily
vscheerily
23 1.0

In a cheerful, lively way that shows happiness

is a more general positive manner with less lively feeling
gleefully
vscheerily
19 3.0

With great joy and excitement

is more general brightness rather than sharp excited delight
triumphantly
vscheerily
15 4.1

With pride and happiness after a success

is a general happy manner not linked to winning or pride
joyfully
vscheerily
11 1.1

In a very happy way that shows delight

is more ordinary upbeat mood rather than deep delight
joyously
vscheerily
5 3.0

In a way that shows great happiness and excitement

is a milder, everyday happy manner rather than celebration
gaily
vscheerily
5 5.2

In a cheerful, lively way that shows happiness

is general positive manner without special playfulness
smilingly
vscheerily
2 2.5

With the mouth turned up in a friendly way

is a general happy manner that does not require smiling
delightedly
vscheerily
2 2.9

In a very happy way that shows pleasure

is a softer, general positive manner versus strong delight
jubilantly
vscheerily
1 5.3

In a way that shows great joy and excitement

is not usually tied to success or triumphant feeling
jovially
vscheerily
1 4.6

In a cheerful, friendly way that makes people smile

is less specifically social and more generally upbeat
genially
vscheerily
1 3.7

In a friendly and cheerful way that makes people feel welcome

is more about bright mood rather than specifically social warmth
lightheartedly
vscheerily
1 3.7

In a cheerful, relaxed way without worry

is more about a bright manner rather than carefree tone
buoyantly
vscheerily
1 5.2

In a cheerful, positive, lively way

is milder, a more neutral positive manner than buoyant energy
light-heartedly
vscheerily
1 3.8

In a cheerful, carefree way without showing worry

is more about a positive mood rather than lack of seriousness
ebulliently
vscheerily
1 7.7

In a lively, cheerful way that shows clear happiness

is less intense and not usually as exuberant
exultantly
vscheerily
  • Formal
1 7.0

In a way that shows great joy after success

is more casual, everyday upbeat feeling rather than triumphal
mirthfully
vscheerily
6.3

In a happy, laughing way

is calmer and more general in friendly expression
gayly
vscheerily
  • Archaic
7.0

In a happy, lively way that shows joy

is a general friendly manner rather than vivid display
jollily
vscheerily
4.5

In a cheerful and lively way

is a general warm manner, not always playful or noisy
chirpily
vscheerily
  • Informal
5.0

In a cheerful, lively way that shows happiness and energy

is more neutral in energy rather than showing extra pep
sunnily
vscheerily
3.1

In a cheerful, hopeful way

is a general happy manner, not always focused on optimism
beamingly
vscheerily
4.2

A person smiles in a bright, happy way

is less about a radiant face and more general manner
perkily
vscheerily
6.4

In a lively, cheerful way that shows confidence

is more about general pleasantness than confident pep
in a jolly mood
vscheerily
2.8

Feeling happy and cheerful

is about outward manner rather than internal feeling state
contently
vscheerily
2.5

In a quiet, pleased way that shows you are satisfied

is more lively and outwardly upbeat rather than quiet contentment

Antonyms

1 4.6

In a sad way that shows a person is sorry

How Cheerful

exuberantly
1 5.1
joyfully
11 1.1
merrily
23 1.0
cheerily
3 2.5
pleasantly
50 1.0

Surface Forms

cheerily positive

Morphology

cheerily = cheery (transparent) = cheer + y + ly

Formed by regular suffixation from the adjective 'cheery' (cheer + -y) with a predictable adverbial -ly; meaning is directly inferred.

Etymology

Cheerily comes from cheer plus the ending -ly; you can see cheer in cheerful and in the phrase 'cheer up'. Originally cheer meant someone's 'face' or 'mood' and later came to mean joy or a shout of support, so to act cheerily is to do something 'in a happy or friendly way'.