cherish
CHEH-rihsh
Cherish (verb) means to care for someone or something deeply and protect it tenderly. Example: “She cherished the old photographs of her grandparents.”
verb
1
To care for someone or something deeply and protect it tenderly.
"She cherished the old photographs of her grandparents."
"He cherishes every moment he gets to spend with his kids."
2
To hold an idea, memory, or hope dear.
"They cherish the hope that things will improve next year."
How to use cherish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo value something so much that you look after it carefully and hold onto it emotionally.
Common mistake
Cherish takes a direct object — you cherish something, not "cherish for" something.
Common pairings
cherish a memory
cherish the moment
cherished possession
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- cherishes
- Past tense
- cherished
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the old photographs of her grandparents.
Etymology
From Old French cherir, "to hold dear," built on cher, "dear" — ultimately from Latin carus, "beloved." The same root gives English "charity" (in its older sense of loving regard).
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for cherish
See all rhymes for cherish →Frequently asked questions
What does “cherish” mean?
The word “cherish” means to care for someone or something deeply and protect it tenderly. In plain terms, to value something so much that you look after it carefully and hold onto it emotionally.
How do you pronounce “cherish”?
“Cherish” is pronounced CHEH-rihsh (/ˈt͡ʃɛɹɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cherish” in a sentence?
Here is “cherish” used in a sentence: “She cherished the old photographs of her grandparents.”
What part of speech is “cherish”?
“Cherish” is a verb.
Where does the word “cherish” come from?
The word “cherish” comes from Latin. From Old French cherir, "to hold dear," built on cher, "dear" — ultimately from Latin carus, "beloved." The same root gives English "charity" (in its older sense of loving regard).
Is “cherish” a common word?
“Cherish” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “cherish” have?
“Cherish” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to care for someone or something deeply and protect it tenderly.
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