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

The wall painting is located in a chapel dedicated to Italy's last king, Umberto II, and shows the cherub holding a map of Italy.

From BBC

"The modification of the cherub's face was the decorator's initiative, not communicated to the competent authorities," it said in a statement shared by news agency Ansa.

From BBC

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 shall wear my royal costume again in the morning, to board whatever magnificent ship bound for England the clerk has booked passage on,” she thought, giving the cherub a fond pat on the cheek.

From Literature