Cheers is what people say as a toast when they raise their glasses. In informal British English, cheers also means “thanks” and “bye”: people use it to thank a shop assistant, a neighbour or a colleague, and to say goodbye at the end of a conversation. The word is friendly and informal. It's fine in a café, in a shop or in a message to a friend, but not in a formal email.
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Cheers! (toast); Cheers! / Cheers, mate! (= thanks, UK); Cheers for + noun/-ing; Cheers, bye! (UK)
- 'I've sent you the files.' 'Cheers, that's really helpful!'
- We raised our glasses to the newlyweds and everyone said, 'Cheers!'
- 'See you on Monday, then.' 'Cheers, have a good weekend!'
What changed
First versionDear Dr Evans, thank you for your feedback on my essay. Cheers, Ivan
RevisionDear Dr Evans, thank you for your feedback on my essay. Best wishes, Ivan
Cheers at the end of an email suits friends and colleagues you're on easy terms with. To a teacher you address as Dear Dr Evans, it sounds too familiar. A neutral sign-off such as Best wishes fits here.
The meanings “thanks” and “bye” are British; in American English, cheers is heard mainly as a toast. And instead of Cheers, a toast can name who or what you're drinking to: To Anna and her new job!
Your turn
The barista handed me my coffee, and I said, '___!' before leaving.
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Cheers — The barista handed you your coffee, and you're thanking them, so Cheers, meaning “thanks”. You're welcome is a reply to someone else's thanks, and here you're the one saying thank you.
Write a short message to a neighbour or colleague who helped you. Say what they did and thank them informally using cheers.
Cheers for feeding my cat while I was away, Dan! I owe you a coffee.
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