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

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

From 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.

From Los Angeles Times

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.

From BBC

There are mysterious initials, a cherub wearing a balaclava.

From Los Angeles Times

My favorite, predictably, was the Tunnel of Love, where couples can pose on a vintage pink Cadillac under a roof painted with cherubs.

From Los Angeles Times