sacred

[sey-krid]

adjective

1. devoted or dedicated to a deity or to some religious purpose; consecrated.

2. entitled to veneration or religious respect by association with divinity or divine things; holy.

   Synonyms: venerable, divine
   Antonyms: blasphemous

3. pertaining to or connected with religion (secular orprofane ).

   sacred music;

   sacred books.

4. reverently dedicated to some person, purpose, or object.

   a morning hour sacred to study.

   Synonyms: consecrated

5. regarded with reverence.

   the sacred memory of a dead hero.

   Synonyms: revered

6. secured against violation, infringement, etc., as by reverence or sense of right.

   sacred oaths; sacred rights.

   Synonyms: sacrosanct

7. properly immune from violence, interference, etc., as a person or office.

   Synonyms: inviolable, inviolate

sacred

/ ˈseɪkrɪd /

adjective

1. exclusively devoted to a deity or to some religious ceremony or use; holy; consecrated

2. worthy of or regarded with reverence, awe, or respect

3. protected by superstition or piety from irreligious actions

4. connected with or intended for religious use

   sacred music

5. dedicated to; in honour of

Other Word Forms

• sacredly adverb
• sacredness noun
• nonsacred adjective
• nonsacredly adverb
• nonsacredness noun
• pseudosacred adjective
• semisacred adjective
• supersacred adjective
• unsacred adjective
• unsacredly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacred¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, originally past participle of sacren “to consecrate,” from Latin sacrāre “to devote,” derivative of sacer “holy”; -ed ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of sacred¹

C14: from Latin sacrāre to set apart as holy, from sacer holy

Synonym Study

See holy.

Example Sentences

“It’s important for people to consider that shows are sacred, especially in the U.S. where financial support is scarce,” she added.

From Los Angeles Times

The Kim family, who have ruled North Korea since 1948, tell citizens they hail from a sacred bloodline, meaning only they can lead the country.

From BBC

In Lillie’s second mystery, tensions rise between Rhode Island’s Narragansett tribe and the Founders Society’s Mayflower descendants after 300-year-old sacred remains are unearthed, then vanish from a Society campground.

From Los Angeles Times

But when the dance later reached the hands of a certain German father of 20 children, Bach made sarabandes of such mystical serenity that eros equaled the sacred miracle of new life.

From Los Angeles Times

"The ritual of breakfast is a sacred time as a family," she adds.

From BBC

Related Words

• cherished www.thesaurus.com
• divine 
• hallowed 
• religious 
• revered 
• solemn 
• spiritual