cheers

Cheers is an English-language exclamation used as a toast before drinking, and it can also function as a casual expression of gratitude or farewell. The word conveys good wishes, health, or happiness as drinks are raised and glasses clink.

In the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and many other Commonwealth countries, cheers is a flexible social lubricant used to toast drinks, thank someone, or say goodbye. In the United States, the term is widely recognized largely because of the television show of the same name, and it is often used as an informal way to say thanks or farewell.

Originating from the general concept of “cheer” as good spirits, the plural form “cheers” became established as a standard toast; beyond drinking, it is common as a casual sign-off in writing and speech. The expression is typically informal and not used in formal settings.

The 1982–1993 American sitcom Cheers is set in a Boston bar of the same name and helped popularize the term in American English. The word has since entered everyday usage in many English-speaking countries, with nuances of friendliness, gratitude, and farewell.