cherry

¹

[ cher-ee ]

noun

, plural cher·ries.

1. the fruit of any of various trees belonging to the genus Prunus, of the rose family, consisting of a pulpy, globular drupe enclosing a one-seeded smooth stone.
2. the tree bearing such a fruit.
3. the wood of such a tree.
4. any of various fruits or plants resembling the cherry.
5. bright red; cerise.
6. Slang: Often Vulgar.
   1. the hymen.
   2. the state of virginity.
7. Slang.
   1. something new or unused.
   2. a novice.
8. Underworld Slang. a first offender.
9. Bowling. the striking down of only the forward pin or pins in attempting to make a spare.

adjective

1. bright-red; cerise.
2. (of food and beverages) made with or containing cherries or cherrylike flavoring:

   cherry pie; cherry soda.

3. (of furniture, woodwork, etc.) made of or covered or decorated with wood from the cherry tree.
4. Slang: Often Vulgar. being a virgin.
5. Slang.
   1. new or unused:

      a three-year-old car in cherry condition.

   2. inexperienced; being an innocent novice.

Cherry

²

[ cher-ee ]

noun

1. Donald Eugene Don, 1936–95, U.S. jazz trumpeter.

cherry

/ ˈtʃɛrɪ /

noun

1. See bird cherry
   any of several trees of the rosaceous genus Prunus, such as P. avium ( sweet cherry ), having a small fleshy rounded fruit containing a hard stone See also bird cherry
2. the fruit or wood of any of these trees
3. any of various unrelated plants, such as the ground cherry and Jerusalem cherry
4. 1. a bright red colour; cerise
   2. ( as adjective )

      a cherry coat

5. slang.
   virginity or the hymen as its symbol
6. modifier of or relating to the cherry fruit or wood

   cherry tart

Derived Forms

• ˈcherry-ˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• cherry·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cherry¹

1300–50; Middle English cheri variant of chirie, back formation from Old English ciris- (taken for plural) ≪ Vulgar Latin *ceresium for *cerasium ( Latin cerasum ) < Greek kerásion cherry

Word History and Origins

Origin of cherry¹

C14: back formation from Old English ciris (mistakenly thought to be plural), ultimately from Late Latin ceresia, perhaps from Latin cerasus cherry tree, from Greek kerasios

Example Sentences

This was the case when they were first introduced, making them something businesses considered to be the cherry on top of their SEO efforts, which is still largely the case.

From Search Engine Watch

To make BLTs in the winter, I pick up a pint of cherry or grape tomatoes and roast them.

From Washington Post

Although I have searched three times, I still can’t find any remnants of that cherry tree he purportedly chopped down.

From Washington Blade

It has the classic chianti flavors of dried cherry and cocoa from the sangiovese grape, with hints of rosemary and sage.

From Washington Post

With the instructor cherry-picking waves, and pushing you into those waves, all you have to do is hoist yourself off the deck and survive that rocky transition, and your work is basically done.

From Outside Online

No more allowing people to justify their bigotry by spouting a cherry-picked Bible verse.

From The Daily Beast

Brazen cherry-picking of the information in this story inspired a flood of “Bush Was Right All Along!”

From The Daily Beast

It was a massive hit, and the safety-pin dress a brilliant cartoonish cherry on top of it.

From The Daily Beast

In time they moved into a big house near New York, which they called Cherry Orchard.

From The Daily Beast

But he had later received a call from the Cherry Creek School District saying she was not in class.

From The Daily Beast

Cherry-tree stems, under the name of agriots, constitute a specialty of Austrian manufacture.

From Project Gutenberg

Others again will be found of a fine red, having something of a most lovely light cherry tint.

From Project Gutenberg

There was then a great deal of old timber about the place and a long avenue of oaks, besides three large cherry orchards.

From Project Gutenberg

It was all cherry satin and white lace, the furniture lilliputian, to match the proportions of the room and the lady.

From Project Gutenberg

I want Mis' Calvert to taste it, an' when she does she'll say she never knew before what cherry pie could be!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• chaste
• pure
• untouched
• virginal
• virtuous