noun
Uncommon
cache
kash
Cache (noun) means a hidden store of items kept for future use. Example: “Rangers found a cache of supplies buried near the trailhead.”
noun
1
A hidden store of items kept for future use.
"Rangers found a cache of supplies buried near the trailhead."
"Police discovered a weapons cache in the basement."
"The squirrel kept a cache of acorns under the old oak tree."
2
(computing) A small, fast storage area that keeps recently used data so it can be retrieved quickly.
"Clearing your browser's cache can fix a page that won't load properly."
"The browser's cache stores copies of pages, so familiar sites open faster."
"A full cache can slow the app down until you empty it."
verb
1
To store something, especially data, for quick future access.
"The app caches images so they load instantly the next time."
"The website caches your recent searches so results appear straight away."
"Most browsers cache fonts after the first visit to a page."
How to use cache
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hidden stash of things, or in tech, fast temporary storage for quick access.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "cash" (money) or "cachet" (prestige) — all three sound alike but mean very different things.
Common pairings
weapons cache
clear the cache
cache memory
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like cache.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- caches
- Third person singular
- caches
- Past tense
- cached
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Rangers found a _____ of supplies buried near the trailhead.
Etymology
From French cache ("hiding place"), a word used by French-Canadian trappers for a hidden store of supplies, from the verb cacher ("to hide").
Related words
Rhymes for cache
ache
Apache
stache
earache
panache
mustache
headache
backache
moustache
toothache
bellyache
heartache
See all rhymes for cache →
Frequently asked questions
What does “cache” mean?
The word “cache” means a hidden store of items kept for future use. In plain terms, a hidden stash of things, or in tech, fast temporary storage for quick access.
How do you pronounce “cache”?
“Cache” is pronounced kash (/kæʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “cache” in a sentence?
Here is “cache” used in a sentence: “Rangers found a cache of supplies buried near the trailhead.”
What part of speech is “cache”?
Depending on how it is used, “cache” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cache” come from?
The word “cache” comes from French. From French cache ("hiding place"), a word used by French-Canadian trappers for a hidden store of supplies, from the verb cacher ("to hide").
Is “cache” a common word?
“Cache” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cache” have?
“Cache” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hidden store of items kept for future use.
What is the difference between "cache" and "cash"?
Despite sounding alike, cache and cash are unrelated words: a cache is a hidden store of items kept for future use, or in computing a small, fast storage area for recently used data, while cash refers to money in physical form.
What does it mean to "clear the cache" on a device?
Clearing the cache means deleting the small, fast storage area that keeps recently used data, such as website files or app information, so it can be rebuilt fresh — often done to fix loading issues or free up space.
What is the difference between a cache and cookies in a web browser?
A cache stores copies of files like images and scripts so a website loads faster next time, while cookies store small pieces of data about your visit, such as login status or preferences. Both are stored locally but serve different purposes.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include cache:
