Definition
person who leads cheers at sporting events; enthusiastic supporter
Etymology
compound of cheer + leader, from Old French chiere 'face, countenance'
Kelly Says
Cheerleading has evolved from simple crowd motivation to an incredibly athletic sport requiring gymnastics, dance, and serious teamwork - those stunts are no joke!
Translations
CACatalà
animadora
ah-nee-mah-DOH-rah
CSČeština
cheerleaderka
CHAYR-lay-deh-reh-kah
DADansk
cheerleader
CHAYR-lay-dehr
DEDeutsch
Cheerleaderin
CHAYR-lay-deh-rin
ELΕλληνικά
γυμνάστρια
ghim-NAH-stree-ah
ESEspañol
animadora
ah-nee-mah-DOH-rah
FISuomi
joukkueenjohtaja
YOH-koo-eh-noh-htah-jah
FRFrançais
pom-pom girl
pohm-pohm geerl
HAHA
jarumiya
jah-ROO-mee-yah
HUMagyar
táncos lány
TAHN-tchohs LAH-ny
IDBahasa Indonesia
pemandu sorak
pah-mah-NDU soh-RAHK
IGIG
onye na-akwado
oh-nyeh nah-ah-KWAH-doh
ITItaliano
addetta alle pom-pom
ah-DEH-tah ah-leh POHM-pohm
MSBahasa Melayu
pemandu sorak
pah-mah-NDU soh-RAHK
NLNederlands
cheerleader
CHAYR-lay-dehr
NONorsk
heia dame
HAY-ah DAH-meh
PLPolski
drużyna cheerleaderek
DROO-zhyn-ah CHAYR-lay-deh-rek
PTPortuguês
torcedora
tohr-seh-DOH-rah
RORomână
susținătoare
soo-stee-NAH-toh-reh
SVSvenska
hejaklacksledare
hey-yah-klahks-leh-DAH-reh
SWKiswahili
mshiriki wa kuimba
m-SHEE-ree-kee wah koo-EEM-bah
TLTL
taga-aliw
tah-gah AH-lee-oo
TRTürkçe
teşvikçi
teh-shee-vee-chee
VITiếng Việt
hỗ trợ viên
hoh troh vyen
YOYO
oludari
oh-LOO-dah-ree
ZUZU
umshayeli
oo-m-SHAY-eh-lee
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Cheerleading emerged in early 1900s as female-coded labor; historically male athletes were cheered while women performed support roles, embedding gendered hierarchies in the term.
Inclusive Usage
Use 'cheerleader' as a neutral role, or specify 'supporter/advocate' when discussing broader contexts to avoid gendered assumptions about who performs support vs. leads.
Inclusive Alternatives
["supporter","advocate","team spirit leader"]
Empowerment Note
Women pioneered cheerleading's acrobatic innovation and cultural influence; modern cheerleaders (often women and non-binary athletes) perform skilled athletics that merit recognition as primary athletic achievement, not supplementary support.