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

I’m going to just hit pause and cherish my bruised heart for a couple of years.

From Slate

While we have a few dishes on the menu that have become classics that our guests cherish and don’t change, new ideas often arise from what’s coming in fresh from the market.

From Salon

"It's a really significant moment and a day to cherish in the recent history of the club," McKenna said.

From BBC

“We know from recent history that the incoming administration will undoubtedly push both a legislative and a regulatory agenda that is designed to dismantle bedrock conservation laws like the Endangered Species Act, and will work to destroy the wildlife and the habitat that we cherish,” said Pamela Flick, California program director for Defenders of Wildlife.

From Los Angeles Times

"I've been really, really lucky to experience both the mega highs and the mega lows in an England shirt. I will cherish all of them because they all count."

From BBC

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