cherish
Americanverb (used with object)
-
cherishes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
cherished,
past participle, past
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cherishing
present participle
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to hold or treat as dear; feel love for.
to cherish one's native land.
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to care for tenderly; nurture.
to cherish a child.
- Antonyms:
- neglect
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to cling fondly or inveterately to.
to cherish a memory.
- Antonyms:
- relinquish
verb
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to show great tenderness for; treasure
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to cling fondly to (a hope, idea, etc); nurse
to cherish ambitions
Usage
What does cherish mean? Cherish means to treasure—to hold or treat something as dear and often loved. The word implies a deep and active appreciation of the person or thing that’s cherished. The word is especially applied to loved ones, relationships, and fond memories of the time spent with such people. It can also be used in the context of possessions that are very special to you, such as a family heirloom or a favorite toy from childhood. Still, such objects are usually cherished due to their connection to a loved one. For example, you might cherish a locket with a photo of your grandmother in it, or a stuffed animal that your dad won for you at a carnival. Things that you cherish can be described with the adjective cherished, as in These are my most cherished possessions. Example: I love my grandma so much and cherish the time we get to spend together.
Synonym Usage
Cherish, foster, harbor imply giving affection, care, or shelter to something. Cherish suggests regarding or treating something as an object of affection or as valuable: to cherish a friendship. Foster implies sustaining and nourishing something with care, especially in order to promote, increase, or strengthen it: to foster a hope; to foster enmity. Harbor suggests giving shelter to or entertaining something undesirable, especially evil thoughts or intentions: to harbor malice or a grudge.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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cherishernoun
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overcherishverb (used with object)
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cherishableadjective
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overcherishedadjective
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uncherishedadjective
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uncherishingadjective
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well-cherishedadjective
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cherishinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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cherishsimple
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cherishessimple
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have cherishedperfect
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has cherishedperfect
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am cherishingprogressive
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are cherishingprogressive
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is cherishingprogressive
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have been cherishingperfect progressive
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has been cherishingperfect progressive
Past
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cherishedsimple
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had cherishedperfect
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was cherishingprogressive
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were cherishingprogressive
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had been cherishingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of cherish
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English cherisshen, from Middle French cheriss- (long stem of cherir ); equivalent to cher “dear” (from Latin cārus “beloved, dear, expensive”) + -ish 2; cf. charity
Explanation
To cherish something is to care for it deeply, to treasure it, like the way you cherish the time you spend with a favorite person you don't see often. The verb cherish is related to words that mean “costly” and “beloved.” When people really value something, often because they feel emotionally connected to it, they cherish it. Many of us cherish our first cars, and later in life, we cherish the memories of those days, driving around with our friends. Generally, people don't cherish things just because they cost money; they cherish experiences that matter to them.
Vocabulary lists containing cherish
Love Letter Words for Valentine's Day
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The Balcony Scene from "Romeo and Juliet"
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Metamorphosis
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He said he hoped the book would be of interest to those who "still cherish" Diana's memory from when she was alive.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
The outcry from Mexican democrats who cherish free speech has been extraordinary.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
My friends and my family, but especially my friends, are the people I cherish most in my life.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
You can find a ho-hum plea for unity in her answer, as well as a guarded concession that Thanksgiving is a holiday that the vast majority of Americans cherish.
From Slate ● Aug. 4, 2026
I headed off on my adventure, an adventure that I’m sure I’ll cherish for a lifetime.
From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers
Ojai loves pushing boundaries, but it also, rightly, cherishes its proud past.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026
Adams is a curious sort, a player Clarke cherishes but who has never evoked major support among the Tartan Army.
From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026
It is a relationship he prizes and cherishes.
From BBC ● Jan. 23, 2026
In an era that cherishes rags-to-success tales of talent and grit, Cheney’s humble and rocky start goes surprisingly unremarked.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2025
Instead of buying Pa a coffeemaker that would have to be replaced within a year, Ma made him an I love you, Diego mug that he cherishes.
From "What If It's Us" by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera
Spain's cherished tourist hotspot of Granada was in shock on Saturday after a rare 5.0-magnitude earthquake woke residents in the middle of the night and damaged buildings.
From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026
While several albums by the Band have become cherished parts of the classic rock canon, Levon never raked in big money.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026
"I won't stand by while these cherished local spaces disappear, replaced by boarded-up windows and 'For Sale' signs," he wrote.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
There were highs and lows, but the positivity and vibrancy he brought made him a cherished figure.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
She had never really used it; she remembered how she had astonished the visitors by reading every letter straight off, but she had cherished the gift for its delicate craftsmanship.
From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare
Debí Tirar Más Fotos translates to "I should have taken more photos", with an underlying message of cherishing moments and memories.
From BBC ● Jun. 28, 2026
Unlike before, when I had been rushing to my appointment, I walked a bit more slowly, cherishing the sun as it grazed my skin.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 18, 2026
Accepting that reality is helpful, as is cherishing what good moments they have.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 10, 2026
What keeps the story sweet is the chemistry between Cannavale and Fitzgerald, who build a bond worth cherishing.
From New York Times ● May 30, 2024
The tortoise fixed his gaze upon it, cherishing the only relief in that brilliant landscape.
From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
