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sacred

SAY-krid /ˈseɪ.krɪd/

adjectiveB1TOEFLIELTS

generalformal

Connected with God (or the gods) or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration.

Can also be used secularly to mean something that is too important to be changed or interfered with.

The story behind the word. Coming from the Latin 'sacrare', this word originally meant 'to set apart'. In ancient Rome, something that was 'sacer' belonged to the gods and was therefore removed from human use. If you touched it, you were 'sacrificed'—literally 'made sacred' by being given to the gods.

Word relationships

holy: 'Holy' is often more personal and spiritual; 'sacred' often refers to things set apart by society or tradition.
hallowed: 'Hallowed' implies something made holy through long tradition or history.

profane: Profane refers to things that are secular or not religious.
secular: Secular refers to things not connected with spiritual or religious matters.

Commonly confused with

scared: Scared means afraid; sacred means holy. Watch the spelling!

Word family

sacredness (noun): The quality of being sacred.

Collocations

sacred duty
sacred ground
sacred music
sacred cow

Idioms & expressions

sacred cow (a custom or institution that is unreasonably held to be immune from criticism)

Example sentences

"The Ganges is considered a sacred river by millions of people." Describing a religious site.
"To many citizens, the right to free speech is a sacred principle of democracy." Describing a personal conviction.

Memory hook

Sacred things are 'Set' apart. Set apart for the gods.

When not to use

Don't use it for things that are merely 'nice' or 'important'; it requires a sense of inviolability.

Fun facts

The word 'sacrifice' comes from 'sacred' + 'facere' (to make).
In sports, a 'sacred' stadium is one with a long, untouchable history.

Related words

consecrate, shrine, ritual

Explore more words

sacrosanct, consecrate, hallowed, secular, reverence, veneration