cherub

noun

cher·​ub ˈcher-əb 

ˈche-rəb

plural cherubs or cherubim ˈcher-ə-ˌbim 

ˈker-,

 also  ˈcher-yə-

1

cherubim plural : an order of angels see celestial hierarchy

2

plural usually cherubs

a

: a beautiful usually winged child in painting and sculpture

b

: an innocent-looking usually chubby and rosy person

This torrent of arcane football lingo spewed from the lips of a red-haired, freckle-faced cherub …

—Tim Layden

cherubic

chə-ˈrü-bik 

 also  ˈcher-ə-

adjective

cherubically

chə-ˈrü-bi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

cherublike

ˈcher-əb-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of cherub in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At Sunday’s Women’s FA Cup final, which Chelsea won 3-0 against Manchester United to clinch a historic undefeated domestic treble, Williams waltzed through the mixed zone first, the entourage — including her husband — trailing behind the tennis great, cherubs in her wake. —Asli Pelit, New York Times, 19 May 2025

Trump also reportedly brought gold cherubs from his Mar-a-Lago resort. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025

Related Articles Cardi accessorized with bold statement, cherub ribbon earrings by Phoebe Hyles, crafted for Nicol & Ford’s fall 2024 collection. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 9 June 2025

In the early nineties, Pavement looked like a funny paradox, a crew of cherubs in collared shirts backed by Young, a long-haired, often shirtless showman pounding his drums. —Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 19 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek cheroub, from Hebrew kĕrūbh

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cherub

• carib
• carob

Kids Definition

cherub

noun

cher·​ub ˈcher-əb 

1

: a painting or drawing of a beautiful child usually with wings

2

: a chubby rosy child

cherubic

chə-ˈrü-bik 

adjective