Where does “cher” come from?

cher (Middle French) comes from Old French cher, from Latin cārus, from Proto-Italic kāros, from Proto-Indo-European kéh₂ros, from Proto-Indo-European keh₂- — to desire, wish.

Ancestry of “cher”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old FrenchcherAlternative form of chier
2Latincārusdear, beloved
3Proto-Italickārosdear
4Proto-Indo-Europeankéh₂rosloved; dear
5Proto-Indo-Europeankeh₂-to desire, wish

Words derived from “cher”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European keh₂- →