cher: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to mediumInformal, affectionate, somewhat dated or regional
Quick answer
What does “cher” mean?
An informal, affectionate term of address for a female friend or lover.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An informal, affectionate term of address for a female friend or lover; dear; darling.
A term of endearment used to address someone (typically female, though occasionally male in some specific contexts) in a friendly or romantic manner. Historically, a poetic or formal address to a loved one. It can also refer to the affectionate usage in Cajun/Creole culture derived from French.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, it is a rare, poetic, or archaic term of endearment. In American English, it is more commonly associated with the Southern/Cajun dialect (Louisiana), where it is used more actively as a casual term of address.
Connotations
British: Archaic, poetic, romantic, possibly affected. American (General): Similar to British, but American (Southern/Cajun): Warm, local, cultural, informal.
Frequency
Very low frequency in modern UK English. Slightly higher in specific regions of the US (Louisiana).
Grammar
How to Use “cher” in a Sentence
[VOCATIVE] Cher, [imperative clause][VOCATIVE] Oh, cher, [declarative clause]My cher, [declarative clause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used; inappropriate.
Academic
Not used, except in literary analysis of historical/regional texts.
Everyday
Possible in informal, affectionate settings, especially in specific US regions or in affected/romantic speech.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cher”
- Using it as a noun: 'She is my cher.' (Incorrect).
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Misspelling as 'share' or 'chair'.
- Assuming it is common in all English dialects.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not common. Its use is limited to informal, affectionate, regional, or archaic/poetic contexts.
Typically, it is used for women. However, in some Cajun or very old-fashioned poetic contexts, it might be used for a man (akin to 'dear'), but this is rare.
In meaning, they are very similar. 'Cher' carries stronger connotations of being old-fashioned, poetic, or specifically tied to French/Cajun culture, whereas 'dear' is standard and modern.
It is borrowed from French, where 'cher' (masc.) / 'chère' (fem.) means 'dear' or 'expensive'. It entered English as a term of endearment.
An informal, affectionate term of address for a female friend or lover.
Cher is usually informal, affectionate, somewhat dated or regional in register.
Cher: in British English it is pronounced /ʃeɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃeɪ/ or /ʃɛr/ (Cajun). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “'Cher, let the good times roll' (Cajun-influenced expression)”
- “'Mon cher' (from French, 'my dear')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a French person saying 'Chérie' (dear) to a woman; 'cher' is the English-friendly, shorter version of that affectionate sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
AFFECTION IS A VALUABLE OBJECT (from French 'cher' meaning 'expensive/dear').
Practice
Quiz
In which regional dialect is the word 'cher' most commonly heard in modern American English?