cherub: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Literary, artistic, religious; occasionally used humorously or ironically in everyday speech.
Quick answer
What does “cherub” mean?
A type of angel, often depicted as a chubby, winged child in art.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of angel, often depicted as a chubby, winged child in art.
An innocent or beautiful child, especially one with a sweet, chubby face; a representation of such a figure.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences; 'cherubim' as a plural is slightly more recognised in UK religious contexts.
Connotations
Similar connotations of innocence, beauty, and sometimes naive sweetness in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, associated with similar domains (art, religion, literature).
Grammar
How to Use “cherub” in a Sentence
[be/look] like a cherub[depict/portray] as a cheruba cherub [with/wearing/holding]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cherub” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- cherubic smile
American English
- cherubic face
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare; potentially in branding or marketing for products related to babies or innocence.
Academic
Used in art history, religious studies, and literature to describe specific iconography.
Everyday
Used humorously or affectionately to describe a well-behaved, sweet-looking child.
Technical
In theology, refers to a specific order of angels; in art, a specific type of winged child figure.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cherub”
- Using 'cherubim' as a singular noun (incorrect: 'a cherubim').
- Confusing 'cherub' (winged child) with 'seraph' (winged being with multiple pairs of wings in biblical tradition).
- Misspelling as 'cherib' or 'cherrub'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Angel' is the general term for a spiritual being. 'Cherub' refers specifically to a type of angel, often depicted as a winged child in post-medieval art, or to the powerful celestial beings described in the Old Testament.
'Cherubim' is the traditional Hebrew plural form used in theological and biblical contexts to refer to the order of angels known as cherubs. In everyday language, 'cherubs' is the standard plural.
Typically, no. 'Cherub' strongly connotes innocence, sweetness, and beauty. Using it for a mischievous child would be ironic or sarcastic.
It's a C2-level adjective meaning 'having the innocence or plump prettiness of a cherub'. It's used in literary or descriptive writing (e.g., 'his cherubic cheeks').
A type of angel, often depicted as a chubby, winged child in art.
Cherub is usually literary, artistic, religious; occasionally used humorously or ironically in everyday speech. in register.
Cherub: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɛrəb/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃɛrəb/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cherub-faced”
- “sleeps like a cherub”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CHERUB as a CHubby angel with chERUbs (cheeks).
Conceptual Metaphor
INNOCENCE IS ANGELIC; BEAUTY IS HEAVENLY.
Practice
Quiz
In an art history context, what is the most precise synonym for 'cherub'?