# cherry

/ˈtʃɛɹi/ (US) · /tʃˈɛɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cherry
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the fruit

noun · CEFR A1

a small, round, red or black fruit with a hard seed in the middle.

For teachers: the small, fleshy drupe of various trees in the genus Prunus, typically characterized by a smooth skin and a central stone.

- She bought a bag of fresh cherries at the market to make a pie.
- The orchard produces several varieties of sweet cherries, ranging from the bright Rainier to the deep, dark Bing, all harvested by hand in early summer.

### 2. the tree or wood

noun · CEFR B2

the tree that grows cherries, or the reddish-brown wood from this tree.

For teachers: any of various trees or shrubs of the subgenus Cerasus, or the hard, fine-grained wood derived from them, valued in cabinetmaking.

- The dining table is made of solid cherry and has a beautiful dark finish.
- The artisan preferred working with cherry due to its warm reddish-brown patina and the ease with which it could be polished to a high sheen.

### 3. a bright red colour

noun · CEFR B1

a bright, deep red colour like the fruit.

For teachers: a variable colour ranging from moderate to strong red, resembling the hue of a ripe cherry.

- She wore a bright cherry dress that stood out in the crowd.
- The vintage sports car was painted a vibrant cherry, reflecting the sunlight as it sped down the coastal highway.

### 4. virginity

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Vulgar

a slang word for a person's virginity.

For teachers: a slang term referring to virginity, particularly the state of never having had sexual intercourse.

- The movie is a comedy about a group of teenagers trying to lose their cherry.
- The script relied heavily on crude metaphors regarding the loss of one's cherry, a common trope in early 2000s teen comedies.

### 5. perfect condition

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal · American English

describes something that is in perfect, new condition.

For teachers: in pristine or mint condition; often used to describe well-maintained vintage vehicles or equipment.

- He found a cherry 1965 Mustang hidden in an old garage.
- The collector was thrilled to acquire a cherry example of the rare synthesizer, complete with its original manual and packaging.

## Examples

- She picked a bright red cherry from the bowl.
- The baker decorated the top of the chocolate cake with a single glazed cherry.
- While many varieties are prized for their sweet flesh, the tart cherry is more commonly utilized in industrial food production and traditional baking due to its higher acidity.

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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.