Appreciate vs. Cherish — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 7, 2024
Appreciate means to recognize or value the quality or significance of something, while cherish involves loving, protecting, or deeply holding something or someone in high esteem.
Difference Between Appreciate and Cherish
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Appreciate means acknowledging the worth or value of an object, person, or experience. This recognition can be expressed through gratitude or simple acknowledgment. Cherish, on the other hand, goes beyond recognition, involving a deep emotional attachment that makes one want to protect and maintain something valuable.
Appreciate often implies understanding the practical or emotional benefits that something provides, such as appreciating a coworker's dedication or someone's advice. Cherish indicates a stronger attachment, suggesting affection and care, like cherishing a family heirloom or a lifelong friendship.
Appreciate is used in both casual and formal settings, where one might thank a friend for their help or express appreciation for an art form. Cherish is more personal, often reserved for intimate relationships or meaningful possessions, like cherishing one's childhood memories.
Appreciate can also mean to increase in value or significance, as in financial contexts. Cherish remains firmly rooted in emotional appreciation and protective love, reinforcing its focus on sentiment.
Comparison Chart
Meaning
Recognize the value or importance
Hold dear with love and protectiveness
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Emotional Depth
Acknowledges worth
Implies deeper emotional attachment
Usage Context
Casual or formal
More intimate, personal
Synonyms
Value, respect, acknowledge
Treasure, hold dear, care for
Financial Context
Can mean increase in value
Not used in a financial sense
Compare with Definitions
Appreciate
Gain worth over time.
The property will likely appreciate over the next decade.
Cherish
Treat with protective care.
He cherished the old photographs of his grandparents.
Appreciate
Acknowledge worth or significance.
I deeply appreciate your assistance with this project.
Cherish
Value highly, especially emotionally.
She cherished the handmade gift from her grandmother.
Appreciate
Express gratitude.
She appreciated his kind words after the meeting.
Cherish
Maintain an ideal or memory closely.
They cherished the hope of reuniting one day.
Appreciate
Fully grasp the meaning or nature.
To appreciate the film, you need to know its historical context.
Cherish
Feel affection for something or someone.
She cherished her time spent with close friends.
Appreciate
Recognize as significant.
It's important to appreciate the impact of this decision.
Cherish
Protect with affection.
They cherished the garden they had planted together.
Appreciate
Recognize the full worth of
She feels that he does not appreciate her
Cherish
To treat with affection and tenderness; hold dear
Cherish one's family.
Fine rugs that are cherished by their owners.
Appreciate
Understand (a situation) fully; grasp the full implications of
They failed to appreciate the pressure he was under
I appreciate that you cannot be held totally responsible
Cherish
To keep fondly in mind; treasure
Cherish a memory.
Appreciate
Rise in value or price
The dollar appreciated against the euro by 15 per cent
Cherish
To treat with affection, care, and tenderness; to nurture or protect with care.
Appreciate
To recognize the quality, significance, or magnitude of
Appreciated their freedom.
Cherish
To have a deep appreciation of; to hold dear.
I cherish your friendship.
Appreciate
To be fully aware of or sensitive to; realize
I appreciate your problems.
Cherish
(obsolete) To cheer, to gladden.
Appreciate
To be thankful or show gratitude for
I really appreciate your help.
Cherish
To treat with tenderness and affection; to nurture with care; to protect and aid.
We were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.
Appreciate
To admire greatly; value.
Cherish
To hold dear; to embrace with interest; to indulge; to encourage; to foster; to promote; as, to cherish religious principle.
To cherish virtue and humanity.
Appreciate
To raise in value or price, especially over time.
Cherish
Be fond of; be attached to
Appreciate
To increase in value or price, especially over time.
Appreciate
(transitive) To be grateful or thankful for.
I appreciate your efforts
We sincerely appreciate your help.
Any aid will be warmly appreciated.
Appreciate
(transitive) To view as valuable.
You must learn to appreciate time
Appreciate
(transitive) To be fully conscious of; understand; be aware of; detect.
It is essential for the reader to appreciate how important this argument is.
I appreciate that what I'm asking you to do is very difficult.
Appreciate
To increase in value.
The value of his portfolio appreciated by 80% over eight years.
Appreciate
To set a price or value on; to estimate justly; to value.
To appreciate the motives of their enemies.
Appreciate
To raise the value of; to increase the market price of; - opposed to depreciate.
Lest a sudden peace should appreciate the money.
Appreciate
To be sensible of; to distinguish.
To test the power of bees to appreciate color.
Appreciate
Recognize with gratitude; be grateful for
Appreciate
Be fully aware of; realize fully;
Do you appreciate the full meaning of this letter?
Appreciate
Hold dear;
I prize these old photographs
Appreciate
Gain in value;
The yen appreciated again!
Appreciate
Increase the value of;
The Germans want to appreciate the Deutsche Mark
Common Curiosities
What is an example of cherishing a memory?
Cherishing a memory might involve reminiscing about a special childhood moment that holds deep emotional significance.
Does appreciating include being thankful?
Yes, appreciation often involves gratitude or acknowledgment of someone’s efforts.
Is there an emotional difference between appreciating and cherishing?
Yes, appreciating often involves recognition, while cherishing carries a deeper emotional attachment.
Can appreciating lead to cherishing?
Yes, recognizing value can foster emotional attachment, leading to cherishing.
Is cherishing suitable for casual relationships?
Not typically; cherishing implies a deeper level of care usually reserved for intimate or long-standing relationships.
Can you appreciate people and things?
Yes, you can appreciate both people and things by recognizing their value or importance.
Can appreciating be used in financial contexts?
Yes, appreciating can mean an increase in value over time, as in appreciating assets.
Is cherishing always positive?
Generally, yes, as cherishing means valuing something deeply with affection.
Are appreciation and respect similar?
They can be similar, as both involve recognizing value, but appreciation may imply gratitude more than respect.
Does cherishing imply possessiveness?
Not necessarily; cherishing means loving and protecting something without implying possession.
Can you appreciate concepts or ideas?
Yes, you can appreciate abstract ideas by recognizing their significance.
Do you cherish ideas like you cherish people?
Usually not; cherishing is more often used for tangible items or relationships.
Is it common to cherish professional relationships?
Not commonly, as cherishing is more intimate, though some deep professional bonds may be cherished.
Can you cherish skills or talents?
You typically appreciate skills and talents rather than cherish them.
How does appreciating differ from valuing?
They overlap, but valuing often suggests assigning importance, while appreciating includes recognizing worth and being grateful.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
