Cheerleader

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈtʃɪə(ɹ)ˌliːdə(ɹ)/

Definitions

1. A member of a group who boosts morale and enthusiasm in competitive settings through performance and encouragement An individual who leads chants and physical routines to energize and support a sports team A performer dedicated to elevating the spirit and motivation of athletes and their audiences through dynamic displays and cheers
2. A person who motivates a sports team and crowd by leading cheers and displaying team spirit
3. One who energizes athletes and spectators through rhythmic chants and coordinated movements

Etymology: A cheerleader is, at its simplest, someone who leads cheering, and the word is built from two plain English parts: "cheer" and "leader." The compound is transparent, so its story lies less in mystery than in how the activity itself changed. Early cheerleading was a matter of rallying a crowd with chants, and the person standing at the front to set the rhythm was the one who gave the word its meaning. The second half of the word carries the older sense of guiding others. "Leader" simply names the person who goes first and sets the pace, so the compound describes exactly what the role does: directing the energy of spectators toward a team. Over time the role grew from chanting alone into routines involving jumps, tumbling and coordinated movement, but the name stayed tied to its original job of leading the cheer.

Synonyms: supporter, promoter, advocate

Antonyms: opponent, critic, detractor