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

Marked by notes of spice and cherry, the deep red wine is soft, succulent and eminently drinkable—a wine for a special occasion or a Tuesday night with friends.

From The Wall Street Journal

A cherry tomato plant that you fuss over like a pet.

From Salon

OK, this is how much a cherry picker in Hungary costs, and therefore I’m gonna take out two shots and only build half the roof.”

From Los Angeles Times

"It's been an unbelievable year, so that would be the cherry on top."

From BBC

Not so with “Burt,” the movie equivalent of a cherry sour drop on a day when you need something a little tart, a tad sweet and that won’t outstay its welcome.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• chaste
• pure
• untouched
• virginal
• virtuous