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 or profane ):

   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

Derived Forms

• ˈsacredness, noun
• ˈsacredly, adverb

Other Words From

• sacred·ly adverb
• sacred·ness noun
• non·sacred adjective
• non·sacred·ly adverb
• non·sacred·ness noun
• pseudo·sacred adjective
• semi·sacred adjective
• super·sacred adjective
• un·sacred adjective
• un·sacred·ly 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

They also say the lands aren’t being adequately protected from those seeking to pillage natural resources and visitors who trash sacred sites.

From Los Angeles Times

That one big thing in Stockhausen’s utopian vision is a new sense of community that evolves from the creation of this sacred space evoking otherworldliness.

From Los Angeles Times

Now, she describes football season as “very iconic and sacred” in their house: “Every hour of it is taken very seriously.”

From Los Angeles Times

There are different interpretations on how Hindus should treat animals, however cows are considered a sacred animal and many choose not to eat beef, while others avoid meat altogether.

From BBC

“The privilege to vote is one of the most sacred rights we have as American citizens,” Spitzer said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cherished
• divine
• hallowed
• religious
• revered
• solemn
• spiritual