Cheerful, a.
Having or showing good spirits or joy; cheering; cheery; contented; happy; joyful; lively; animated; willing. To entertain a cheerful disposition. Shak. The cheerful birds of sundry kind Do chant sweet music. Spenser. A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God. Macaulay. This general applause and cheerful shout. Shak.
Syn. -- Lively; animated; gay; joyful; lightsome; gleeful; blithe; airy; sprightly; jocund; jolly; joyous; vivacious; buoyant; sunny; happy; hopeful.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for cheerful; he lists it under comfortable, happy.
Where he writes about it:
A little additional brightness makes him cheerful. — from comfortable
Cheerful applies to the possession or expression of a moderate and tranquil happiness. — from happy
Synonyms
comfortablehappyagreeableat easeat restblessedblissfulblitheblithesomebrightbuoyantcheeringcheerycommodiouscontentedconvenientdelighteddelightfuldexterousfelicitousfortunategaygenialgladjocundjollyjoyfuljoyousluckymerrymirthfulpleasantpleasedprosperousrapturousrejoicedrejoicingsatisfactorysatisfiedsmilingsnugsprightlysuccessfulsunnywell-offwell-providedwell-to-do