Definition of CACHET

Q: What is the difference between 'cache' and 'cachet'?

Although the two words come from the same root (the French cacher , meaning "to press, hide"), cache and cachet have different meanings (/words-at-play/cache-and-cachet-whats-the-difference). Cache primarily refers to a thing that is hidden or stored somewhere, or to the place where it is hidden. It has recently taken on another common meaning, "short-term computer memory where information is stored for easy retrieval." Cachet usually means "prestige" or "a characteristic feature or quality conferring prestige."

Q: What is the difference between 'cachet' and 'prestige'?

Several of the senses of cachet are similar, or synonymous with prestige ; among its definitions are "a characteristic feature or quality conferring prestige," "an indication of approval carrying great prestige," and "prestige." However, cachet does have additional meanings which share little of their meaning with prestige , including "a medicinal preparation for swallowing," and "a seal used especially as a mark of official approval."

Q: How do you pronounce 'cachet'?

Cache and cash are pronounced the same, but cachet is pronounced \cash-AY. Cachet and cache share the same origin, the French cacher "to press, hide"; cash , however, comes from a different root, the Latin word for "chest" ( capsa ).

Frequently Asked Questions About cachet

What is the difference between cache and cachet?

Although the two words come from the same root (the French cacher, meaning "to press, hide"), cache and cachet have different meanings (/words-at-play/cache-and-cachet-whats-the-difference). Cache primarily refers to a thing that is hidden or stored somewhere, or to the place where it is hidden. It has recently taken on another common meaning, "short-term computer memory where information is stored for easy retrieval." Cachet usually means "prestige" or "a characteristic feature or quality conferring prestige."

What is the difference between cachet and prestige?

Several of the senses of cachet are similar, or synonymous with prestige; among its definitions are "a characteristic feature or quality conferring prestige," "an indication of approval carrying great prestige," and "prestige." However, cachet does have additional meanings which share little of their meaning with prestige, including "a medicinal preparation for swallowing," and "a seal used especially as a mark of official approval."

How do you pronounce cachet?

Cache and cash are pronounced the same, but cachet is pronounced \cash-AY. Cachet and cache share the same origin, the French cacher "to press, hide"; cash, however, comes from a different root, the Latin word for "chest" (capsa).

Examples of cachet in a Sentence

a movie director with great artistic cachet His research in Antarctica gave him a certain cachet among other scientists.

Recent Examples on the Web Ronald Reagan also favored the big audiences and cachet of prime time, using the glamorous East Room as the backdrop just as Nixon did. — Tim Darnell, ajc, "Biden’s first press conference: how to watch, what you need to know," 24 Mar. 2021 Beth Moore has more influence and more cachet with Southern Baptists, especially white Southern Baptist women, than the vast majority of Southern Baptist pastors or other leaders. — Ruth Graham And Elizabeth Dias New York Times, Star Tribune, "Leading evangelical splits with Southern Baptists over Trump," 10 Mar. 2021 In South Texas, there are few institutions with as much cultural cachet as H-E-B. — Madison Iszler, San Antonio Express-News, "H-E-B and other retailers struggle with mask policies as mandate ends," 8 Mar. 2021 Some of them opened in the late nineteenth century, though most were built around the time of the First World War; few had the cultural cachet of the Barbizon. — Casey Cep, The New Yorker, "When the Barbizon Gave Women Rooms of Their Own," 1 Mar. 2021 Under renowned chef Danny Bowien, who has significant culinary cachet after founding Mission Chinese in 2010, the restaurant has expanded to New York City, but the SF Mission location is the original. — Maya Kachroo-levine, Travel + Leisure, "San Francisco Travel Guide," 2 Mar. 2021 Thanks to the rise of hygge—the Danish concept of getting cosy—slippers have got new cachet; being warm and comfortable is cool these days. — Popsci Commerce Team, Popular Science, "Men’s slippers for toasty toes," 17 Feb. 2021 Given his cachet in the footballing world and particularly among Frenchspeakers, such hype was easy to understand. — Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes, "Thierry Henry’s Departure Feels Genuine, But Leaves CF Montreal In A Tough Spot," 26 Feb. 2021 Both entries are Genesis' attempt to usher in a new era and increase its cachet as a burgeoning luxury brand the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz. — Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, "Best New Sedans of 2021," 19 Feb. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cachet.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.