cherish

[cher-ish]

verb (used with object)

1. to hold or treat as dear; feel love for.

   to cherish one's native land.

2. to care for tenderly; nurture.

   to cherish a child.

   Synonyms: sustain, nourish, nurse
   Antonyms: neglect

3. to cling fondly or inveterately to.

   to cherish a memory.

   Antonyms: relinquish

cherish

/ ˈtʃɛrɪʃ /

verb

1. to show great tenderness for; treasure

2. to cling fondly to (a hope, idea, etc); nurse

   to cherish ambitions

Other Word Forms

• cherishable adjective
• cherisher noun
• cherishingly adverb
• overcherish verb (used with object)
• overcherished adjective
• uncherished adjective
• uncherishing adjective
• well-cherished adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cherish¹

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; charity

Word History and Origins

Origin of cherish¹

C14: from Old French cherir, from cher dear, from Latin cārus

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Crews have also continued to work on northern containment lines along McKinley Grove Road, where the fire has come within three miles of a cherished grove of roughly 200 giant sequoias.

From Los Angeles Times

She says she wants to lean into the idea of Vogue in print as something to collect and cherish.

From BBC

First seen cycling his city’s streets day and night with a becalmed sense of ownership, Holland’s Roger is a die-hard Brooklynite none too happy with the smoothing over of his cherished neighborhoods by “obscene” money.

From Los Angeles Times

During past three years, they’ve played in the same charity golf tournament at Pebble Beach, and Riley said he has “cherished” that time with his predecessor.

From Los Angeles Times

The cherished 1939 fantasy has been expanded by generative AI to fit the giant parameters of the Las Vegas immersive venue.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admire 
• adore 
• appreciate 
• care for www.thesaurus.com
• cling to www.thesaurus.com
• cultivate 
• defend 
• embrace 
• encourage 
• enshrine 
• entertain 
• harbor 
• hold dear www.thesaurus.com
• honor 
• love 
• preserve 
• revere 
• safeguard 
• treasure 
• worship 

When To Use

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.