Words / B2

CHER-ish/ˈtʃerɪʃ/

To cherish is to care for something lovingly, or to keep a hope or memory dear: cherish a memory; cherish the archive. Treasure is a close twin; love is broader. Cherish the archive, then cite the box number. Mix-up: perish; cheer. Do not write cherish for a one-off “like” on social media.

Meaning

To care for something lovingly, or to keep a hope or memory dear.

Examples

• “Cherish the archive, then cite the box number, the local-history brief said.”
• “They cherished the hope of a recount, which is the keep-dear sense — still name the petition.”

Good to know

cherish a memory / hope; cherish + person / object. Close: treasure. Trap: perish / cheer. Literature, orals, and history. Hold dear, not a casual like.

Near in meaning

treasure

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