cherry

cher-ry · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A small, round stone fruit that is typically red or dark red when ripe, with a single hard seed.

  2. 2.

    Of a bright red color.

  3. 3.

    The tree (genus Prunus) that produces this fruit.

  4. 4.

    (informal) In perfect condition; unused or like new.

  5. 5.

    A bright red color like that of a ripe cherry.

Forms

plural: cherries

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    cherry on top — the finishing touch that makes something perfect
  • •
    cherry-pick — to select only the best or most favorable items
  • •
    life is a bowl of cherries — life is pleasant (often used ironically)
  • •
    pop someone's cherry — (vulgar slang) to take someone's virginity; to do something for the first time

Related words

See also: blossom, cherries, fruit, red

Etymology

From Old French cerise, from Latin cerasus ("cherry tree"), from Greek κέρασος (kerasos). The English singular "cherry" is a back-formation; "cerise" was mistakenly interpreted as a plural.