What does "cachet" mean?
A seal, as of a letter.
Cachet
/kæˈʃeɪ/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A seal, as of a letter.
- Grammar: cachet is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: seal, aroma, attribute, badge.
- Useful contrasts: counterfeit, disrepute, falsification.
- Usage evidence: His style stamps all his work with the cachet of literary superiority.
How to use "cachet"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "cachet" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "cachet" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "cachet" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "cachet" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "cachet" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "seal" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "cachet", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A seal, as of a letter. archaic, countable, uncountable
- 2 a seal on a letter wordnet
- 3 A special characteristic or quality; prestige, especially via association. countable, figuratively, uncountable
"I remember when this diner was a quiet hangout, but lately it seems to be losing its cachet."
- 4 a warrant formerly issued by a French king who could warrant imprisonment or death in a signed letter under his seal wordnet
- 5 A commemorative stamped design or inscription on an envelope, other than a cancellation or pre-printed postage. countable, uncountable
"The Alcatraz pelican cachet turned out to have a unique history of its own which had been lost over the years. Master cachet designer and artist John Coulthard (1903-1966) of 17 Elm Street Modesto, California, was the creator of the stamp."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 an indication of approved or superior status wordnet
- 7 A sealed envelope containing an item whose price is being negotiated. countable, uncountable
"The most romantic rite of bargaining is the cachet; even its name suggests a thrilling secrecy. The cachet is used when a broker negotiates the sale of a diamond."
- 8 A capsule containing a pharmaceutical preparation. countable, uncountable
"In order to facilitate taking by the patient, powders are often ordered to be dispensed in cachets."
- 9 A hidden location from which one can observe birds while remaining unseen. countable, uncountable
"On my way back to my cachet I met another party of reed-buntings, one of which I bagged; then I sat in my hiding-place for an hour, waiting for geese that never came within range."
Verb
- 1 To mark (an envelope) with a commemorative stamped design or inscription. transitive
Example
"His style stamps all his work with the cachet of literary superiority."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "cachet"?
Common synonyms include: seal, aroma, attribute, badge, billhead, book stamp.
How do you use "cachet" in a sentence?
His style stamps all his work with the cachet of literary superiority.
How do you pronounce "cachet"?
Pronounced /kæˈʃeɪ/.
Etymology
Borrowed from French cachet, first appearing in Scottish English, from 1630.