cheering

Cheering is the act of expressing approval, encouragement, or happiness, typically through vocal sounds, applause, and energetic gestures. It is common at sports events, concerts, parades, and other public gatherings, where audiences collectively participate in the experience.

Common forms include loud vocalizations such as chants and calls, clapping, stomping, whistles, and waving banners or signs. In many settings, cheers are organized in advance as part of a chant or routine; in others they arise spontaneously from the crowd. Noisemakers, drums, and horns are additional tools used to amplify enthusiasm.

Cheering serves social and motivational functions: it signals support for participants, helps sustain performance, and reinforces group identity. It can influence behavior by rewarding actions and maintaining a high-energy atmosphere, though it may also be timed or moderated by event organizers.

Etiquette surrounding cheering varies by culture and setting. Some venues encourage loud, continuous cheering, while others favor shorter chants or moments of quiet appreciation between acts. In multicultural or formal contexts, crowds may adjust the volume and style to accommodate diverse expectations.

Cheering is related to concepts such as applause, chants, and jeering. While cheering generally denotes approval, it exists on a spectrum that includes positive encouragement and occasionally disruptive noisy behavior, depending on context and norms.