How to pronounce cherub
Say it like CHER-ub. Cherub has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (CHER).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cherub. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- CHER
- ub
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cherub pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- CHERSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- ubKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of cherub
American and British speakers say cherub in essentially the same way: /ˈtʃɛrəb/ in the US and /ˈtʃɛrəb/ in the UK.
British respelling: CHER-ub.
What does cherub mean?
- A winged creature attending God and guarding his throne described as a being with four faces (man, lion, ox, and eagle), human hands, calf hooves, four wings, and many eyes. A description can be found in Ezekiel chapter 1 and Ezekiel chapter 10; similar to a lamassu (winged bull with a human torso)
- A winged angel, described by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite (c. 5th–6th century) as the second highest order of angels, ranked above thrones and below seraphim.
- In later texts changed to a winged baby; in artistic depictions sometimes a baby's head with wings but no body.
Where does cherub come from?
The English word is cognate with French chérubin, Italian cherubino, Old Spanish cherubin (modern Spanish querubín), Galician querubín, Portuguese querubim.
Words that rhyme with cherub
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of cherub.
Questions about saying cherub
How do you pronounce cherub?
Say CHER-ub. The American pronunciation is /ˈtʃɛrəb/. In British English it is /ˈtʃɛrəb/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cherub?
Cherub has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (CHER). Broken into parts: CHER · ub.
Do Americans and Brits say cherub the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtʃɛrəb/ and the British form is /ˈtʃɛrəb/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.