sacred
SAYK-rihd
Sacred (adj) means Regarded as holy and worthy of deep religious reverence. Example: “Many pilgrims travel to the sacred mountain each spring to pray at its summit.”
adj
1
Regarded as holy and worthy of deep religious reverence.
"Many pilgrims travel to the sacred mountain each spring to pray at its summit."
"The temple grounds are considered sacred by the local community."
"They lit candles at the sacred shrine."
2
So important or valued that it must not be violated or interfered with.
"For her, the early morning hour of silence is sacred, and nobody may disturb it."
"Our grandfather's old chair is sacred, so please do not move it."
"Sunday dinner with the family is sacred in our house."
How to use sacred
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHoly, or treated as too important to mess with.
Common pairings
sacred ground
sacred tradition
hold something sacred
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more sacred
- Superlative
- most sacred
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Many pilgrims travel to the _____ mountain each spring to pray at its summit.
Etymology
From Middle English sacred, the past participle of sacren, "to make holy."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sacred” mean?
The word “sacred” means regarded as holy and worthy of deep religious reverence. In plain terms, holy, or treated as too important to mess with.
How do you pronounce “sacred”?
“Sacred” is pronounced SAYK-rihd (/ˈseɪkɹɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “sacred” in a sentence?
Here is “sacred” used in a sentence: “The temple grounds are considered sacred by the local community.”
What is the opposite of “sacred”?
The opposite of “sacred” — its antonyms — are cursed and damned.
What part of speech is “sacred”?
“Sacred” is an adjective.
Where does the word “sacred” come from?
The word “sacred” comes from Middle English. From Middle English sacred, the past participle of sacren, "to make holy.".
Is “sacred” a common word?
“Sacred” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “sacred” have?
“Sacred” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: regarded as holy and worthy of deep religious reverence.
What is the difference between "sacred" and "holy"?
The words overlap and are often interchangeable. "Holy" tends to emphasise divine purity and a direct link to God or religion. "Sacred" emphasises being set apart and worthy of deep reverence, which can also apply to things treated as too important to violate, even outside religion.
What is the difference between "sacred" and "profane"?
They are opposites. "Sacred" describes what is holy and worthy of religious reverence, while "profane" describes what is secular, ordinary, or disrespectful toward what is holy. The pairing "the sacred and the profane" contrasts the divine with the worldly.
What is the difference between "sacred" and "sacrosanct"?
"Sacrosanct" is a stronger, more emphatic word, describing something so protected that it must never be interfered with or criticised. "Sacred" can mean the same thing in its non-religious sense but also carries the religious meaning of holy and revered.
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