cherub

[ cher-uh b ]
/ ˈtʃɛr əb /

noun, plural cher·ubs for 3, 4; cher·u·bim [cher-uh-bim, -yoo-bim] /ˈtʃɛr ə bɪm, -yʊ bɪm/ for 1, 2.

a celestial being. Gen. 3:24; Ezek. 1, 10.
Theology. a member of the second order of angels, often represented as a beautiful rosy-cheeked child with wings.
a beautiful or innocent person, especially a child.
a person, especially a child, with a sweet, chubby, innocent face.

Origin of cherub

before 900; Middle English < Latin < Greek < Hebrew kərūbh; replacing Middle English cherubin, Old English c(h)erubin, cerubim (all singular) < Latin cherūbim < Greek < Hebrew kərūbhīm (plural)

OTHER WORDS FROM cherub

che·ru·bic [chuh-roo-bik] /tʃəˈru bɪk/, che·ru·bi·cal, adjective cher·ub·like, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for cherub

British Dictionary definitions for cherub

cherub
/ (ˈtʃɛrəb) /

noun plural cherubs or cherubim (ˈtʃɛrəbɪm, -ʊbɪm)

theol a member of the second order of angels, whose distinctive gift is knowledge, often represented as a winged child or winged head of a child
an innocent or sweet child

Derived forms of cherub

cherubic (tʃəˈruːbɪk) or cherubical, adjective cherubically, adverb

Word Origin for cherub

Old English, from Hebrew kěrūbh