cherry

¹ American  

[cher-ee] / ˈtʃɛr i /

noun

plural

cherries

1. 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.

2. the tree bearing such a fruit.

3. the wood of such a tree.

4. any of various fruits or plants resembling the cherry.

5. bright red; cerise.

6. Slang: Often Vulgar.

   1. the hymen.

   2. the state of virginity.

7. Slang.

   1. something new or unused.

   2. a novice.

8. Underworld Slang. a first offender.

9. Bowling. the striking down of only the forward pin or pins in attempting to make a spare.

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adjective

1. bright-red; cerise.

2. (of food and beverages) made with or containing cherries or cherrylike flavoring.

   cherry pie; cherry soda.

3. (of furniture, woodwork, etc.) made of or covered or decorated with wood from the cherry tree.

4. Slang: Often Vulgar. being a virgin.

5. Slang.

   1. new or unused.

      a three-year-old car in cherry condition.

   2. inexperienced; being an innocent novice.

Cherry ² American  

[cher-ee] / ˈtʃɛr i /

noun

1. Donald Eugene Don, 1936–95, U.S. jazz trumpeter.

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cherry British  

/ ˈtʃɛrɪ /

noun

1. 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

2. the fruit or wood of any of these trees

3. any of various unrelated plants, such as the ground cherry and Jerusalem cherry

4. 1. a bright red colour; cerise

   2. ( as adjective )

      a cherry coat

5. slang virginity or the hymen as its symbol

6. (modifier) of or relating to the cherry fruit or wood

   cherry tart

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Other Word Forms

• cherry-like adjective
• cherrylike adjective

Etymology

Origin of cherry

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

Example Sentences

Across the nation families and friends rolled out blankets and tarpaulins at parks, temples and even cemeteries over the weekend to eat and drink under cherry trees for traditional "hanami" or flower viewing gatherings.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

It was spring, and I kept telling myself I would drive down to Washington one weekend to see the cherry blossoms.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

There's also Watermelina, a watermelon, a banana named Bananito, and Cherrita, who is a cherry.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

Many tourists from around the world, in town to see the city’s famed cherry blossoms, watched protesters with curiosity.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 28, 2026

The cherry trees were in full leaf, their fruit long since picked and canned.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman

Related Words

• chaste
• pure
• untouched
• virginal
• virtuous