cherub

[cher-uhb]

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.

cherub

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cherub¹

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)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cherub¹

Old English, from Hebrew kěrūbh

Example Sentences

“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.”

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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.

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

There are a few visual effects, to indicate hazy memories, and a through line built around a white piano decorated with cherubim, which ends the film on a happy note.

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Mr Piovesana also had a cartoon-style tattoo of a man, a car and a cherub on his arm, and a Vespa motorbike on his stomach, they added.

Read more on BBC