cherish
Americanverb (used with object)
-
cherishes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
cherished,
past participle, past
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cherishing
present participle
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to hold or treat as dear; feel love for.
to cherish one's native land.
-
to care for tenderly; nurture.
to cherish a child.
- Antonyms:
- neglect
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to cling fondly or inveterately to.
to cherish a memory.
- Antonyms:
- relinquish
verb
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to show great tenderness for; treasure
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to cling fondly to (a hope, idea, etc); nurse
to cherish ambitions
Usage
What does cherish mean? Cherish means to treasure—to hold or treat something as dear and often loved. The word implies a deep and active appreciation of the person or thing that’s cherished. The word is especially applied to loved ones, relationships, and fond memories of the time spent with such people. It can also be used in the context of possessions that are very special to you, such as a family heirloom or a favorite toy from childhood. Still, such objects are usually cherished due to their connection to a loved one. For example, you might cherish a locket with a photo of your grandmother in it, or a stuffed animal that your dad won for you at a carnival. Things that you cherish can be described with the adjective cherished, as in These are my most cherished possessions. Example: I love my grandma so much and cherish the time we get to spend together.
Synonym Usage
Cherish, foster, harbor imply giving affection, care, or shelter to something. Cherish suggests regarding or treating something as an object of affection or as valuable: to cherish a friendship. Foster implies sustaining and nourishing something with care, especially in order to promote, increase, or strengthen it: to foster a hope; to foster enmity. Harbor suggests giving shelter to or entertaining something undesirable, especially evil thoughts or intentions: to harbor malice or a grudge.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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cherishernoun
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overcherishverb (used with object)
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cherishableadjective
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overcherishedadjective
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uncherishedadjective
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uncherishingadjective
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well-cherishedadjective
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cherishinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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cherishsimple
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cherishessimple
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have cherishedperfect
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has cherishedperfect
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am cherishingprogressive
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are cherishingprogressive
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is cherishingprogressive
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have been cherishingperfect progressive
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has been cherishingperfect progressive
Past
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cherishedsimple
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had cherishedperfect
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was cherishingprogressive
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were cherishingprogressive
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had been cherishingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of cherish
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English cherisshen, from Middle French cheriss- (long stem of cherir ); equivalent to cher “dear” (from Latin cārus “beloved, dear, expensive”) + -ish 2; cf. charity
Explanation
To cherish something is to care for it deeply, to treasure it, like the way you cherish the time you spend with a favorite person you don't see often. The verb cherish is related to words that mean “costly” and “beloved.” When people really value something, often because they feel emotionally connected to it, they cherish it. Many of us cherish our first cars, and later in life, we cherish the memories of those days, driving around with our friends. Generally, people don't cherish things just because they cost money; they cherish experiences that matter to them.
Vocabulary lists containing cherish
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The Balcony Scene from "Romeo and Juliet"
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Metamorphosis
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
This news also reminded me to never take anything or anyone we cherish for granted.
From Salon ● Oct. 23, 2026
For many families, Ms. Manning reminds us, “a love of reading stemming from a World War II veteran” is a legacy passed down from those who learned to cherish books during their time of service.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026
They added that, once restored and refurbished, the building would be "used for the benefit of the wider community of Middleton who rightly cherish it as an important part of Middleton's rich and varied heritage".
From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2026
The view looking out at the Pacific Ocean while sitting in a chair or hanging on the railing at the Mountain is something to cherish.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026
As the Korean Bar Association has noted, “South Koreans, who publicly cherish the virtue of brotherly love, have been inexplicably stuck in a deep quagmire of indifference.”
From "Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West" by Blaine Harden
Ojai loves pushing boundaries, but it also, rightly, cherishes its proud past.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026
Adams is a curious sort, a player Clarke cherishes but who has never evoked major support among the Tartan Army.
From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026
The singer unknowingly provided the soundtrack for that "first drive home that every parent cherishes".
From BBC ● Mar. 12, 2026
One small-business owner cherishes Mr. Diamond’s many sad songs, which he enjoys listening to on the anniversary of his wife’s death.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 24, 2025
If there is any one amongst you who cherishes my freedom, Oliver Tambo cherishes it more, and I know that he would give his life to see me free.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
The kinds of small businesses and experiences that we cherished in the past are harder to find these days, and Wall Street Journal readers think something consequential has been lost.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2026
Her former school, Assumption Grammar in Ballynahinch, County Down, said it was "deeply saddened and heartbroken" by the death of its "cherished past pupil".
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2026
For U.S. workers, Social Security is a cherished benefit.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 26, 2026
They need to be cherished for their loyalty and focus on their grandkids, through thick and thin.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2026
Our only material goods from the outside world of late were comic books, which my sisters cherished like Marco Polo’s spices from China, and powdered eggs and milk, to which we felt indifferent.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
Accepting that reality is helpful, as is cherishing what good moments they have.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 10, 2026
Music may be permitted to speak not of specifics but the essence of grief, a collective cherishing of existence.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 10, 2025
What keeps the story sweet is the chemistry between Cannavale and Fitzgerald, who build a bond worth cherishing.
From New York Times ● May 30, 2024
The Labour MP said both her and her daughter were doing well and they were cherishing their time together as a family at home.
From BBC ● Dec. 28, 2023
Retaining our humanity, cherishing our heritage, we fought the depravity of the Nazis with subtle forms of resistance.
From "The Boy on the Wooden Box" by Leon Leyson
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