What does cherish mean?

Cherish is always used as a verb and has three main meanings.

1. To love and adore

When you cherish someone if means that you love them very much. This is often used for non-romantic love.

For example - She cherished her grandmother and would do anything to help her.

2. To value something

When you cherish something it means that it is very important to you.

For example - She cherished her garden and looked after it every day.

3. To keep a feeling or hope (formal)

When you cherish a hope or feeling, it means that it is very important to you and is something that you wish to come true (although it may not).

For example: Since he was a young boy, Sam had cherished a wish to travel the world. OR Joanna had cherished a love for him for many years, but now he was married to someone else.