cherubic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'cherubic' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is generally used to mean "having a sweet, angelic, innocence", and can be used to describe people, places, or things. For example, you could say: "The little girl had a cherubic face, with her big blue eyes and rosy cheeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It sounds as if he's already paying homage to Joe Strummer with his sparse and slurring musical style, but he looks remarkably cherubic, far from the pale and hollow cheeks of his latter-day image.

The Guardian - Music

Her roles as a cherubic tomboy, topped by dimples and ringlets, but with a mean line in tap-dancing, were hugely popular with audiences and the young actor was credited with saving the depression-hit Fox studios.

The Guardian - Film

The cherubic baritone of the quagmire choir, the New York Times's R.W. Apple, has been mute this time.Yet stopped clocks sometimes tell the right time.

The Economist

But they murmur prayers with cherubic devotion and life revolves around families and horses.Along the route children run gleefully for sweets thrown by the horsemen, and entrust to them letters to the Three Kings, asking for presents on Epiphany.

The Economist

The cherubic face did not seem to match "the black-rimmed fingernails...the dark, uneven teeth; the slouch; the open fly".

The Economist

He contrives to bounce back after often self-inflicted setbacks, he knows how to bide his time until the foe is weak, and he can rouse the rabble with speeches of a fury wholly at odds with his cherubic features and twinkling eyes.

The Economist

Today, the most popular film is "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" ("Something's Going On"), a musical melodrama cum love story in which Shah Rukh Khan (a cherubic version of Mr Bachchan) is persuaded by the ghost of his dead wife to marry his best friend from college.

The Economist

This was hardly needed: Senator Cruz, with his wife and two cherubic daughters in tow, went down a storm.

The Economist

Like Mr Schröder, though, Mr Lafontaine has been adept at shifting his ideological ground when it seems politic.With his cherubic smile and twinkling eyes, Mr Lafontaine is dangerously easy to underestimate.

The Economist

WITH his tousled but cherubic looks and a voice sounding even younger than his 29 years, Jesse Klaver is the latest standard-bearer of a party that is trying to recapture its idealistic élan, and so inject new life into his country's politics.

The Economist

The Mirror ignores the story until page 16, when it returns as a human interest story about the cherubic choirboy past of one of the England cricket stars.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cherubic" to describe someone or something with a round, innocent face or angelic appearance. It adds a touch of gentleness and purity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "cherubic" to describe someone with a mischievous or cunning nature, as it implies innocence and gentleness. Ensure the description aligns with the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "cherubic" primarily functions as a descriptive modifier, adding a quality of innocence, roundness, and often childlike beauty to the noun it modifies. Ludwig confirms that "cherubic" is appropriate for use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academia

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cherubic" is an adjective used to describe someone or something with a round, innocent face or angelic appearance. As Ludwig confirms, it's a grammatically correct and frequently used term, particularly in News & Media and Encyclopedias. When using "cherubic", be mindful of its connotation of innocence and avoid using it to describe someone with negative or cunning traits. For alternatives, consider words such as "angelic", "innocent-looking", or "baby-faced", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember that the most authoritative sources include The Economist, The New Yorker, and The Independent, demonstrating its widespread use in high-quality writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

angelic

Focuses on the resemblance to an angel, emphasizing purity and goodness.

seraphic

Similar to angelic, but with a stronger connotation of spiritual purity and radiance.

innocent-looking

Highlights the appearance of innocence, suggesting a lack of guile or experience.

heavenly

Suggests a divine or ethereal quality, often associated with beauty and grace.

baby-faced

Emphasizes the youthful, childlike features of someone's face.

childlike

Emphasizes the innocence and simplicity associated with childhood.

sweet-faced

Focuses on the pleasant and agreeable expression of the face.

rosy-cheeked

Highlights the healthy and vibrant complexion, often associated with youth and innocence.

beatific

Implies a state of blissful happiness or serenity.

adorable

Expresses a feeling of great affection or delight.

FAQs

How to use "cherubic" in a sentence?

You can use "cherubic" to describe someone or something that has a round, innocent face or angelic appearance. For example, "The child had a "cherubic face"".

What can I say instead of "cherubic"?

You can use alternatives like "angelic", "innocent-looking", or "baby-faced" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "cherubic" or "rubicund"?

"Cherubic" describes an angelic or innocent appearance, while "rubicund" describes a ruddy complexion. They have different meanings and cannot be used interchangeably.

What's the difference between "cherubic" and "childlike"?

"Cherubic" specifically refers to a round, innocent face or angelic appearance, whereas "childlike" refers to qualities or behaviors typical of a child, such as innocence or playfulness. The emphasis is on the appearance instead of the personality traits.