# cherish

/ˈtʃɛɹɪʃ/ (US) · /tʃˈɛɹɪʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cherish
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. to love and protect

verb · CEFR B2

to love someone or something very much and take good care of them.

For teachers: to treat with deep affection and tenderness; to nurture or protect something valued.

- He cherished the old watch his grandfather gave him before he died.
- The community continues to cherish its local traditions, ensuring that each generation learns the songs and stories of their ancestors.

Usage: Often used with physical objects that have sentimental value or with people.

### 2. to hold a feeling or memory

verb · CEFR B2

to keep a hope, a memory, or a pleasant feeling in your mind.

For teachers: to harbour or nurture a belief, hope, or memory in one's mind over a long period.

- She cherished the hope that one day they would meet again.
- Despite the many years that had passed, he still cherished the memory of their first summer in the mountains.

Usage: Commonly takes abstract nouns like 'hope', 'memory', 'ambition', or 'dream' as a direct object.

## Examples

- She cherishes the necklace her grandmother gave her.
- He cherishes the quiet moments they share before work.
- The community cherishes its historical archives as a vital link to the past.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.