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to root for

to root for

110 3.0
To cheer for a person or team so they do well
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈruːt fɔr/
  • Informal
translation icon : animar a
  • As a lifelong supporter, I always root for the underdogs in every competition.
  • root for a team
  • fans root for

There's no one to root for, no one.

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Examples

Synonyms

to root
vsto root for
  • US
113 2.9

To cheer for someone or a team because you want them to win

is used more broadly by fans in many competitive situations
to pull for
vsto root for
  • Informal
23 4.2

Support someone in a competition or hard situation

focuses mainly on fan support in competitions
to root on
vsto root for
  • UK
6.5

To cheer for someone loudly to show support

uses support more generally not necessarily loud or vocal
7.4

To give loud, cheerful support to someone to encourage them

is regular support without exaggerated showy behaviour

Antonyms

2.9

To be against something and try to stop it

94 2.9

To think something is wrong or bad and show it

How Supportive

to champion
64 4.2
to back
932 1.0
to root for
  • Informal
110 3.0
to support
1.0

Surface Forms

root for infinitive
rooted for past
rooted for past participle
rooting for present participle
roots for third person singular

Morphology

root + for

The meaning 'to support or cheer for' is directly and compositionally derived from 'root' (to cheer/support) plus the preposition 'for' which marks the target of support. This is a common verb + preposition construction that a B1 learner who knows the constituent meanings can readily infer.

Etymology

The expression root for comes from a simple plant image: the root holds a plant steady and helps it grow, so to 'root for' someone is like giving them support and strength. That's why it now means 'to support or cheer for' someone.