cachet

noun

ca·​chet ka-ˈshā How to pronounce cachet (audio)
1
a
: 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.
2
a
: 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 toTruman Capote
3
: a medicinal preparation for swallowing consisting of a case usually of rice-flour paste enclosing a medicine
4
a
: 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

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. 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 But a dozen years after its launch, Kickstarter had lost its cachet of cool and churned through CEOs. Byallie Garfinkle, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 The brand’s cultural cachet had grown to such an extent that being selected for inclusion in the collection could boost a young filmmaker’s sales as well as reputation. Joshua Hunt, New York Times, 29 Feb. 2024 Swift’s cachet helped propel the issue into the public eye, however, and the incident amplified calls for lawmakers to step in. Brian Contreras, Scientific American, 8 Feb. 2024 But social media is giving such campaigns a new twist, experts say, turbocharging the chase for the hot new item as consumers compete for clicks, cachet, or just a sense of belonging to a broader community of collectors. Bailey Schulz, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2024 It can be read as evidence of China’s increasing cachet in the Middle East since negotiating a détente between Iran and Saudi Arabia last March. Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 8 Jan. 2024 The Swiss watch industry is significant in both popular culture cachet — think James Bond — and financial heft. Andy Hoffman, Fortune Europe, 8 Dec. 2023 This new Turkey will, of course, remain a member of NATO, which brings Ankara cachet as well as protection from Moscow (at some point, Turkey’s elites fear, the relationship between the two countries may once again become more hostile), and leverage with other NATO powers. Soner Cagaptay, Foreign Affairs, 19 Feb. 2024 Moments showcasing those relationships were imperative to making a biopic that didn’t completely rest on the laurels of Marley’s staggering cultural cachet. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cachet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

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.

First Known Use

circa 1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of cachet was circa 1639

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Dictionary Entries Near cachet

Cite this Entry

“Cachet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cachet. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

cachet

noun
ca·​chet ka-ˈshā How to pronounce cachet (audio)
: a medicinal preparation for swallowing consisting of a case usually of rice-flour paste containing an unpleasant-tasting medicine

called also wafer, wafer capsule

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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