cachet

noun

ca·​chet ka-ˈshā How to pronounce cachet (audio)
Synonyms of cachet
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Off-White’s cachet is indelibly intertwined with Abloh’s legacy, who utilized it as a platform for his inclusive, collective approach to fashion creation — an approach whose ultimate agenda was to further access and inclusion. — Luke Leitch, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026 His son brought some of that basketball cachet to a UCF program still searching for an identity. — Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 Thanks to his newfound Sundance cachet, Blair finally got the ball rolling on The Shitheads, with Luke Wilson attached as Mark and Tracy Morgan as Davis. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026 Take away that cachet and the Nuvolari’s business case starts to evaporate. — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cachet

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of cachet was circa 1639

Phrases Containing cachet

Browse Nearby Words

cache-sexe
cachet
cachexia
See all Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Cachet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cachet. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Medical Definition

cachet

noun
ca·​chet ka-ˈshā How to pronounce cachet (audio)
: a medicinal preparation for swallowing consisting of a case usually of rice-flour paste containing an unpleasant-tasting medicine

called also wafer, wafer capsule

More from Merriam-Webster on cachet

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cachet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cachet

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