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 ).

noun

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ca·chet | \ ka-ˈshā

Definition of cachet

1a : a seal used especially as a mark of official approval

b : an indication of approval carrying great prestige The president placed his cachet on the project.

2a : a characteristic feature or quality conferring prestige regarded the possession of real estate as a cachet of respectability

b : prestige being rich … doesn't have the cachet it used to— Truman Capote

3 : a medicinal preparation for swallowing consisting of a case usually of rice-flour paste enclosing a medicine

4a : a design or inscription on an envelope to commemorate a postal or philatelic event

b : an advertisement forming part of a postage meter impression

c : a motto or slogan included in a postal cancellation (see cancellation sense 3)

Frequently Asked Questions About cachet More Example Sentences Phrases Containing cachet Learn More About cachet

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 The Icare tote's celebrity cachet likely has an expiration date (as every paparazzi-popular bag does). — Halie Lesavage, Harper's BAZAAR, 9 May 2022 In fact, competing companies produced their own Macintosh clones, capitalizing on the cachet of Jobs and Wozniak's brilliant branding. — PCMAG, 4 May 2022 Few Napa Valley addresses confer wine cachet like Beckstoffer To Kalon Vineyard. — Sara L. Schneider, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2022 After Uggs had accrued the cachet of surf subculture approval, Smith was able to edge his way further into the sportswear industry. — Leah Dolan, CNN, 21 Dec. 2021 The Peacocks were not in the field as a team that had steamrollered blue-blood opponents, had assembled a perfect season or had enough cachet to make the selection committee think twice about excluding them. — New York Times, 27 Mar. 2022 The traditional regions, and their iconic families of producers, still carry cachet. — Cathy Huyghe, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2021 What truly confers such cachet on Canouan, though, is its deliberately discreet profile, and its isolation, both of which have so far kept it resoundingly paparazzi-free. — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2022 Moreover, its competitors there, both local and foreign, have similar brand cachet and aggressive growth plans of their own. — Spencer Jakab, WSJ, 25 Mar. 2022 See More

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.

History and Etymology for cachet

borrowed from French, "small seal with a coat of arms and initials engraved or in relief used to seal documents, a document so sealed, mark of approval, distinctive character," going back to Middle French, from cacher "to press" + -et -et entry 1 (here as a suffix of instrument) — more at cache entry 1

Note: See note at cache entry 1.