the fruit of any of various trees belonging to the genus Prunus, of the rose family, consisting of a pulpy, globular drupe enclosing a one-seeded smooth stone.
the tree bearing such a fruit.
the wood of such a tree.
any of various fruits or plants resembling the cherry.
bright red; cerise.
Slang: Often Vulgar.
the hymen.
the state of virginity.
Slang.
something new or unused.
a novice.
Underworld Slang. a first offender.
Bowling. the striking down of only the forward pin or pins in attempting to make a spare.
bright-red; cerise.
(of food and beverages) made with or containing cherries or cherrylike flavoring.
cherry pie; cherry soda.
(of furniture, woodwork, etc.) made of or covered or decorated with wood from the cherry tree.
Slang: Often Vulgar. being a virgin.
Slang.
new or unused.
a three-year-old car in cherry condition.
inexperienced; being an innocent novice.
any of several trees of the rosaceous genus Prunus, such as P. avium ( sweet cherry ), having a small fleshy rounded fruit containing a hard stone See also bird cherry
the fruit or wood of any of these trees
any of various unrelated plants, such as the ground cherry and Jerusalem cherry
a bright red colour; cerise
( as adjective )
a cherry coat
slang virginity or the hymen as its symbol
(modifier) of or relating to the cherry fruit or wood
cherry tart
1300–50; Middle English cheri variant of chirie, back formation from Old English ciris- (taken for plural) ≪ Vulgar Latin *ceresium for *cerasium ( Latin cerasum ) < Greek kerásion cherry
A cherry is a beautiful flowering tree, and it's also the name of the small, red fruit that grows on it. If you learn to bake a perfect cherry pie, you will become a legend among your dessert-loving friends. Ripe cherries are deep red and exquisitely sweet, with small inedible pits. Cherry is an almost universally loved flavor, from cherry danishes and cherry lollipops to the cherry on top of a hot fudge sundae. Cherry is also used to describe a bright red color. The word itself comes from a Greek root, kerasos, which means "cherry tree," and also refers to a region of ancient Greece historians believe first exported cherries to Europe.
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“What can I say? Being recognized by my peers in this way is the cherry on top of the most creatively fulfilling experience of my life,” Einbinder said in a statement.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 8, 2026
How about red onion, cherry tomatoes or that half a shallot that’s threatening to turn into a plant in the back of your fridge?
From Salon • Jul. 7, 2026
There’s also no cherry picking to spend FSA money on camp costs while using the tax credit for other expenses like daycare costs, Pon said.
From MarketWatch • Jul. 6, 2026
Faizi said that the village, which once produced only apples and walnuts, now has cherry, pear, and peach trees, among others.
From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026
Nate stood there under the cherry tree, his mind swirling with sad memories.
From I Survived the American Revolution, 1776 by Lauren Tarshis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
