sacred
SAY-kred
/ˈseɪkrɪd/
Connected with God or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration.
Can also mean something regarded with such great respect that it cannot be changed or criticized (e.g., sacred rights).
The story behind the word. Derived from the Latin 'sacrare', meaning to set apart as holy. It shares a root with 'sacrifice', which literally means 'to make (facere) holy (sacr)'.
Word relationships
- holy: Holy is often used for people or divine beings, whereas sacred is more often used for objects, places, or duties.
- divine: Divine specifically relates to the nature of a god, while sacred relates to things dedicated to a god.
- profane: Profane refers to things that are secular, worldly, or disrespectful of the sacred.
- secular: Secular means non-religious, lacking the 'untouchable' quality of the sacred.
Commonly confused with
- scared: Scared is an emotion (fear); sacred is a status (holiness).
Word family
- sacredness (noun): The quality of being sacred.
Collocations
- sacred ground
- sacred duty
- sacred text
Idioms & expressions
- sacred cow
Example sentences
- "The Ganges is a sacred river to Hindus, believed to wash away sins." Describing a natural landmark.
- "To the ancient Greeks, the laws of hospitality were sacred." Describing social obligations.
Memory hook
Think of a 'Sacred' 'Secret' that only the gods know. Set apart for God.
When not to use
Avoid using for things that are merely 'good' or 'special'; it implies a level of holiness or untouchability.
Fun facts
- The term 'sacred cow' comes from the Hindu practice of honoring cows, but in English, it refers to an idea or institution that is immune from criticism.
Related words
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