Rejoice vs. Cheer — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 15, 2024
Rejoice refers to showing great joy or delight, often from a deep, personal sense of happiness, while cheer means to give support or encouragement, typically involving shouts of happiness.
Difference Between Rejoice and Cheer
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Key Differences
Rejoicing often implies a profound emotional response, typically triggered by personal or significant events, such as a major life achievement. Whereas, cheering is commonly associated with providing vocal support or encouragement, especially in group settings like sports events.
Rejoice is used when expressing deep, heartfelt happiness or satisfaction, often related to spiritual or deeply personal contentment. On the other hand, cheer is used more in contexts of encouraging or supporting others, often loudly and enthusiastically.
The act of rejoicing can be a quiet and private experience, not necessarily requiring an audience or external manifestation. In contrast, cheering usually involves audible expressions and is often performed in the presence of others as a form of outward support.
Rejoicing may be expressed through various personal and introspective actions like prayer, meditation, or quiet reflection. Conversely, cheering typically involves clapping, shouting, and other forms of loud, public expressions.
Rejoice and cheer both deal with expressions of happiness, but the former is more about internal fulfillment or spiritual joy, while the latter is about expressing support or happiness in a more outward and often communal way.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Show great joy or delight
Give support or encouragement
Emotional Tone
Deep, personal
Supportive, enthusiastic
Usual Context
Personal achievements, spirituality
Sports events, performances
Expression
Can be private or silent
Typically loud and public
Associated Actions
Prayer, meditation, reflection
Clapping, shouting
Compare with Definitions
Rejoice
Feel or show great joy or delight.
She rejoiced at the news of her brother’s safe return.
Cheer
Shout for joy or in praise or encouragement.
The crowd cheered as the team scored a goal.
Rejoice
Be delighted.
He rejoiced in his good fortune.
Cheer
Cause someone to feel happier.
The good news cheered everyone in the office.
Rejoice
Experience or express great joy.
They rejoiced together after hearing the favorable court verdict.
Cheer
Express approval or encouragement by shouting.
Fans cheered loudly throughout the match.
Rejoice
Celebrate something with joy.
The whole town rejoiced at the festival.
Cheer
Give comfort or support to.
He cheered her up with a funny story.
Rejoice
Gladden, make joyful.
Her success rejoiced her family.
Cheer
Encourage someone with shouts.
The coach cheered the players on from the sidelines.
Rejoice
To feel joyful; be delighted
Rejoiced at the news.
Rejoiced in her friend's good fortune.
Cheer
Shout for joy or in praise or encouragement
She cheered from the sidelines
Rejoice
To feel joyful about (something)
Rejoiced that the ship reached land.
Cheer
Give comfort or support to
He seemed greatly cheered by my arrival
Rejoice
(Archaic) To fill with joy; gladden.
Cheer
A shout of encouragement, praise, or joy
A tremendous cheer from the audience
Rejoice
(intransitive) To be very happy, be delighted, exult; to feel joy.
Cheer
Cheerfulness, optimism, or confidence
An attempt to inject a little cheer into this gloomy season
Rejoice
(transitive) To make happy, exhilarate.
Cheer
A shout of approval, encouragement, or congratulation
A remark that drew cheers from the crowd.
Rejoice
(obsolete) To enjoy.
Cheer
A short, rehearsed jingle or phrase, shouted in unison by a squad of cheerleaders.
Rejoice
To feel joy; to experience gladness in a high degree; to have pleasurable satisfaction; to be delighted.
I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy.
Cheer
Comfort or encouragement
A message of cheer.
Rejoice
To enjoy.
Cheer
Lightness of spirits or mood; gaiety or joy
A happy tune, full of cheer.
Rejoice
To give joi to; to make joyful; to gladden.
I me rejoysed of my liberty.
While she, great saint, rejoices heaven.
Were he [Cain] alive, it would rejoice his soul to see what mischief it had made.
Cheer
Festive food and drink; refreshment
Did not refrain from sampling their holiday cheer.
Rejoice
The act of rejoicing.
Cheer
To shout cheers.
Rejoice
Feel happiness or joy
Cheer
To express praise or approval
Bloggers cheered when the favorable decision was announced.
Rejoice
To express great joy;
Who cannot exult in Spring?
Cheer
To become cheerful
Had lunch and soon cheered up.
Rejoice
Be ecstatic with joy
Cheer
To encourage with cheers
The fans cheered the runners on.
Cheer
To salute or acclaim with cheers; applaud.
Cheer
To express praise or approval for; acclaim
Cheered the results of the election.
Cheer
To make happier or more cheerful
A warm fire that cheered us.
Cheer
(uncountable) A cheerful attitude; happiness; a good, happy, or positive mood.
Cheer
That which promotes good spirits or cheerfulness, especially food and entertainment prepared for a festive occasion.
A table loaded with good cheer
Cheer
(countable) A cry expressing joy, approval or support, such as "hurrah".
Three cheers for the birthday boy!
A cheer rose from the crowd.
Cheer
(countable) A chant made in support of a team at a sports event.
Cheer
(obsolete) One's facial expression or countenance.
Cheer
(archaic) One's attitude, mood.
Cheer
Cheerleading, especially when practiced as a competitive sport.
Alex participated in cheer all four years of college.
I'm going to wear my new cheer shoes at cheer today.
Cheer
(transitive) To gladden; to make cheerful; often with up.
We were cheered by the offer of a cup of tea.
Cheer
(transitive) To infuse life, courage, animation, or hope, into; to inspirit; to solace or comfort.
Cheer
To encourage to do something.
Cheer
(ambitransitive) To applaud or encourage with cheers or shouts.
The crowd cheered in support of the athletes.
The crowd cheered the athletes.
Cheer
To feel or express enthusiasm for (something).
The finance sector will cheer this decision.
Cheer
The face; the countenance or its expression.
Cheer
That which promotes good spirits or cheerfulness; provisions prepared for a feast; entertainment; as, a table loaded with good cheer.
Cheer
Feeling; spirit; state of mind or heart.
Be of good cheer.
The parents . . . fled away with heavy cheer.
Cheer
Gayety; mirth; cheerfulness; animation.
I have not that alacrity of spirit,Nor cheer of mind, that I was wont to have.
Cheer
A shout, hurrah, or acclamation, expressing joy enthusiasm, applause, favor, etc.
Welcome her, thundering cheer of the street.
Cheer
To cause to rejoice; to gladden; to make cheerful; - often with up.
Cheer
To infuse life, courage, animation, or hope, into; to inspirit; to solace or comfort.
The proud he tamed, the penitent he cheered.
Cheer
To salute or applaud with cheers; to urge on by cheers; as, to cheer hounds in a chase.
Cheer
To grow cheerful; to become gladsome or joyous; - usually with up.
At sight of thee my gloomy soul cheers up.
Cheer
To be in any state or temper of mind.
How cheer'st thou, Jessica?
Cheer
To utter a shout or shouts of applause, triumph, etc.
And even the ranks of TusculumCould scare forbear to cheer.
Cheer
A cry or shout of approval
Cheer
The quality of being cheerful and dispelling gloom;
Flowers added a note of cheerfulness to the drab room
Cheer
Give encouragement to
Cheer
Show approval or good wishes by shouting;
Everybody cheered the birthday boy
Cheer
Cause (somebody) to feel happier or more cheerful;
She tried to cheer up the disappointed child when he failed to win the spelling bee
Cheer
Become cheerful
Cheer
Urge on or encourage especially by shouts;
The crowd cheered the demonstrating strikers
Common Curiosities
Can rejoice be used in a quiet way?
Yes, rejoicing can be a quiet, introspective experience, not necessarily requiring outward expressions.
How do the emotional tones differ between rejoicing and cheering?
Rejoicing typically has a deep, personal emotional tone, focusing on internal joy, whereas cheering is more about enthusiastic, supportive expressions in social settings.
How is cheer used in a sentence?
Cheer is often used to describe the act of shouting for joy, praise, or encouragement, such as "The audience cheered loudly at the performance."
What types of events typically make people rejoice?
People often rejoice during personal milestones such as weddings, births, personal achievements, or spiritual experiences.
How does "cheer" function in a team setting?
In team settings, "cheer" functions as a way to motivate and encourage team members, boosting morale and fostering team spirit.
Is cheering always loud?
Cheering is generally loud and enthusiastic, aimed at being heard by others, especially in group settings like sports games or concerts.
Are there cultural differences in how people rejoice or cheer?
Yes, cultural differences can influence how people express joy or encouragement. For example, some cultures might have specific rituals or dances for rejoicing, while others might use distinct cheers at sports events.
Can animals perceive cheering?
Animals, especially pets like dogs, can perceive cheering and often react to the excitement and noise, showing signs of increased alertness or excitement.
What does it mean to rejoice?
To rejoice means to feel or show great joy or delight, often stemming from a deep, personal experience or achievement.
What is the historical origin of "rejoice"?
Historically, "rejoice" comes from the Old French word "rejoiss-", the stem of "rejoir", meaning to be glad, and reflects a deep sense of happiness or joy.
Is it possible to cheer someone up without making noise?
Yes, cheering someone up can also involve quiet acts of kindness, supportive words, or gestures that encourage and uplift someone without necessarily making noise.
What are common situations where you might cheer?
Common situations for cheering include sports events, concerts, or any group activities where encouragement or support is expressed.
How has the use of "cheer" evolved over time?
Over time, "cheer" has evolved from a 13th-century meaning of face or countenance to its current usage involving vocal support and encouragement, reflecting its dynamic and communal nature.
Can "rejoice" be used to describe collective happiness?
Yes, "rejoice" can describe collective happiness, such as a community celebrating a local or national victory, though it often carries a more personal or profound connotation.
How do "rejoice" and "cheer" compare in literary use?
In literature, "rejoice" might be used to convey a deep, often reflective joy, while "cheer" could be used to depict more dynamic, action-oriented scenes of encouragement or celebration.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
