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

It’s a black one-piece covered in red cherries.

From Literature

His whole body felt lit up from the inside, like there were cherry bombs in his heart.

From Literature

Japanese authorities in a town near Mount Fuji have cancelled this year's cherry blossom festival, saying a surge in tourist numbers is unmanageable for locals.

From BBC

Inside was something her mother had always wanted for her—a silk kimono with cherry blossoms on it.

From Literature

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

From Literature

Related Words

• chaste
• pure
• untouched
• virginal
• virtuous