cherub

American  

[cher-uhb] / ˈtʃɛr əb /

noun

plural

cherubs, cherubim

1. (in the Bible) a celestial being.

2. Theology. a member of the second order of angels, often represented as a beautiful rosy-cheeked child with wings.

3. a beautiful or innocent person, especially a child.

4. a person, especially a child, with a sweet, chubby, innocent face.

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cherub British  

/ tʃəˈruːbɪk, ˈtʃɛrəb /

noun

1. theol a member of the second order of angels, whose distinctive gift is knowledge, often represented as a winged child or winged head of a child

2. an innocent or sweet child

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Other Word Forms

• cherubic adjective
• cherubical adjective
• cherubically adverb
• cherublike adjective

Etymology

Origin of cherub

First recorded before 900; Middle English, from Latin, from Greek, from Hebrew kərūbh; replacing Middle English cherubin, Old English c(h)erubin, cerubim (all singular), from Latin cherūbim, from Greek, from Hebrew kərūbhīm (plural)

Example Sentences

But I do believe — cue the trumpets and cherubs — there is nothing beyond the power of voters to fix.

From Los Angeles Times

Song floats through “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” like hovering cherubim.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I do love babies so. Why, just last week I was tending the sweetest little cherub you can imagine, all dimples and velvety skin and cute little burpie-wurpies.”

From Literature

Ever interested in art, Beowulf was transfixed by the murals painted on the ceiling of the theater, which featured adorable winged cherubs playing golden harps.

From Literature

She pans down to show double sinks that feature a cherub motif.

From Los Angeles Times