cachet

noun

ca·​chet ka-ˈshā 

1

a

: a seal used especially as a mark of official approval

b

: an indication of approval carrying great prestige

The president placed his cachet on the project.

2

a

: a characteristic feature or quality conferring prestige

regarded the possession of real estate as a cachet of respectability

b

: prestige

being rich … doesn't have the cachet it used to

—Truman Capote

3

: a medicinal preparation for swallowing consisting of a case usually of rice-flour paste enclosing a medicine

4

a

: a design or inscription on an envelope to commemorate a postal or philatelic event

b

: an advertisement forming part of a postage meter impression

c

: a motto or slogan included in a postal cancellation (see cancellation sense 3)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between cache and cachet?

Although the two words come from the same root (the French cacher, meaning "to press, hide"), cache and cachet have different meanings. Cache primarily refers to a thing that is hidden or stored somewhere, or to the place where it is hidden. It has recently taken on another common meaning, "short-term computer memory where information is stored for easy retrieval." Cachet usually means "prestige" or "a characteristic feature or quality conferring prestige."

What is the difference between cachet and prestige?

Several of the senses of cachet are similar, or synonymous with prestige; among its definitions are "a characteristic feature or quality conferring prestige," "an indication of approval carrying great prestige," and "prestige." However, cachet does have additional meanings which share little of their meaning with prestige, including "a medicinal preparation for swallowing," and "a seal used especially as a mark of official approval."

How do you pronounce cachet?

Cache and cash are pronounced the same, but cachet is pronounced \cash-AY. Cachet and cache share the same origin, the French cacher "to press, hide"; cash, however, comes from a different root, the Latin word for "chest" (capsa).

Examples of cachet in a Sentence

a movie director with great artistic cachet

His research in Antarctica gave him a certain cachet among other scientists.

Recent Examples on the Web

Populist leaders’ attacks undermine public trust in the armed forces, which in turn can harm both recruitment and retention as serving in the military loses its cachet. —Ronald R. Krebs, Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025

Raising money for the inauguration can help lobbyists secure access for clients, and cachet for themselves with the incoming administration. —Kenneth P. Vogel, New York Times, 4 Jan. 2025

Zoom in: The Smithsonian is the world's largest museum, education and research complex, so joining it would bring some new cachet to the Weitzman. —Mike D'onofrio, Axios, 5 Dec. 2024

Adding to its cachet, the stately residence at 2920 Camino Del Mar is the first new home to be built on this specific stretch of beach in 15 years, Turner told Mansion Global. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "small seal with a coat of arms and initials engraved or in relief used to seal documents, a document so sealed, mark of approval, distinctive character," going back to Middle French, from cacher "to press" + -et -et entry 1 (here as a suffix of instrument) — more at cache entry 1

Note: See note at cache entry 1.

First Known Use

circa 1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cachet

• lettre de cachet

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Medical Definition

cachet

noun

ca·​chet ka-ˈshā 

: a medicinal preparation for swallowing consisting of a case usually of rice-flour paste containing an unpleasant-tasting medicine

called also wafer, wafer capsule