Cherry

¹ American  

[cher-ee] / ˈtʃɛr i /

noun

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

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cherry ² 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 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

But the real cherry on top is the latest in a line of third-act twists that aren’t just twists, but ways to repeat the plot in case a viewer might not have been listening.

From Salon

In late March, pair cherry blossoms with parallel-turn drills by adding Nagano’s Karuizawa Prince Hotel Ski Resort to your Tokyo itinerary.

From The Wall Street Journal

Caporale also suggests swapping the traditional maraschino cherry garnish for something more elevated, like a braided twist of citrus peels.

From Salon

Officials tried air horns, cherry and caramel flavored bait and even a trap that caught the wrong bear.

From Los Angeles Times

Then you and I will sit down over cups of hot coffee and slices of cherry pie, and we will savor every last one of our secrets together.

From Literature

Related Words

• chaste
• pure
• untouched
• virginal
• virtuous