noun
cherub
CHAIR-ub/ˈtʃerəb/
An angelic figure depicted as an innocent winged child.
The carved cherub has a gentle face and small feathered wings.
Etymology
The “winged angel” sense was extended to a beautiful child, yielding today’s affectionate description of a child whose sweet, innocent face seems angelic.
More examples
- The sculpture shows two smiling cherubs.
- Their rosy-cheeked toddler looks like a little cherub.
- A golden cherub decorates the picture frame.
Forms
cherub · cherubs · cherubim
Similar words
- angel
- Angel is the broader category of heavenly being; cherub often evokes the familiar winged-child image.