cherish

[ cher-ish ]

verb (used with object)

1. to hold or treat as dear; feel love for:

   to cherish one's native land.

2. to care for tenderly; nurture:

   to cherish a child.

   Synonyms: sustain, nourish, nurse

   Antonyms: neglect

3. to cling fondly or inveterately to:

   to cherish a memory.

   Antonyms: relinquish

cherish

/ ˈtʃɛrɪʃ /

verb

1. to show great tenderness for; treasure
2. to cling fondly to (a hope, idea, etc); nurse

   to cherish ambitions

Derived Forms

• ˈcherisher, noun
• ˈcherishable, adjective
• ˈcherishingly, adverb

Other Words From

• cherish·a·ble adjective
• cherish·er noun
• cherish·ing·ly adverb
• over·cherish verb (used with object)
• over·cherished adjective
• un·cherished adjective
• un·cherish·ing adjective
• well-cherished adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cherish¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English cherisshen, from Middle French cheriss- (long stem of cherir ); equivalent to cher “dear” (from Latin cārus “beloved, dear, expensive”) + -ish ²; charity

Word History and Origins

Origin of cherish¹

C14: from Old French cherir, from cher dear, from Latin cārus

Synonym Study

Cherish, foster, harbor imply giving affection, care, or shelter to something. Cherish suggests regarding or treating something as an object of affection or as valuable: to cherish a friendship. Foster implies sustaining and nourishing something with care, especially in order to promote, increase, or strengthen it: to foster a hope; to foster enmity. Harbor suggests giving shelter to or entertaining something undesirable, especially evil thoughts or intentions: to harbor malice or a grudge.

Example Sentences

“The things that he really cherishes in his life, the things that he loves — they’re not all in one basket anymore.”

From Los Angeles Times

It was John Smith who kick-started Labour's slow return to power, overturning many of the party's most cherished principles in a drive to make it electable again.

From BBC

Then there’s the added challenge of making a film that is both faithful to the cherished stage production and accessible to audiences who are entirely unfamiliar with the show.

From Salon

“I wanted her to look almost like a cherished doll, with cream or white bases to underscore her innocence.”

From Los Angeles Times

It is a landscape that inspires a rich poetic tradition, a forge that shapes cherished traditions and customs, and even a welcome refuge from troubling events beyond.

From Salon

Related Words

• admire
• adore
• appreciate
• care for
• cling to
• cultivate
• defend
• embrace
• encourage
• enshrine
• entertain
• harbor
• hold dear
• honor
• love
• preserve
• revere
• safeguard
• treasure
• worship

More About Cherish

What does cherish mean?

Cherish means to treasure—to hold or treat something as dear and often loved.

The word implies a deep and active appreciation of the person or thing that’s cherished.

The word is especially applied to loved ones, relationships, and fond memories of the time spent with such people. It can also be used in the context of possessions that are very special to you, such as a family heirloom or a favorite toy from childhood. Still, such objects are usually cherished due to their connection to a loved one. For example, you might cherish a locket with a photo of your grandmother in it, or a stuffed animal that your dad won for you at a carnival.

Things that you cherish can be described with the adjective cherished, as in These are my most cherished possessions. 

Example: I love my grandma so much and cherish the time we get to spend together.

Where does cherish come from?

The first records of the word cherish come from around 1300. It comes from the Old French cherir, from cher, meaning “dear,” from the Latin cārus (which is also the basis for the words charity and caress).

The phrase love and cherish is part of many traditional wedding vows. To cherish someone is to hold them dear—to care about them deeply in a way that makes you treasure them and show them how much you treasure them. In this way, the word implies an active appreciation. Sometimes, it’s only after we lose someone that we realize that we should have done more to cherish them.

The adjective cherished means the same thing as treasured. Things that are described as cherished usually have some deep significance to the person who cherishes them.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of cherish?

• cherished (past tense verb, adjective)
• cherishable (adjective)
• cherisher (noun)
• cherishingly (adverb)

What are some synonyms for cherish?

• treasure (when treasure is used as a verb)

What are some words that share a root or word element with cherish? 

 

• charity
• caress

What are some words that often get used in discussing cherish?

• love
• adore
• appreciate
• loved one
• memory
• friendship
• family
• possession
• fondly

How is cherish used in real life?

The word cherish is most commonly used in discussion of what people hold dear, especially loved ones and memories of them.

Nothing says “I love you” more than someone celebrating your wins with you, mourning your losses with you, respecting you with their actions and words, inspiring you, encouraging you, and telling you the hard truths you need to grow.

True friends are priceless. Cherish them✊🏽

— Sansa Stark The Phoenix (@_Oroboghene) May 23, 2020

I love California and Nevada but its truly my friendships here that have made it hard to leave. This place will always be home and I will cherish the memories I made here. ALL my friends are welcome to call or message at ANYTIME and if youre ever in Nebraska stop by! Love yall❤

— Underoos (@masonmckinney46) July 30, 2020

CHERISH YOUR MOST PRECIOUS TREASURES
Not possessions. People.
Cherish your relationships with those who love you.

— Derek Morris (@DrDerekMorris) August 3, 2020

 

 

Try using cherish!

Is the adjective cherished used correctly in the following sentence?

I’m sad to tell you that we lost our cherished dog today.