Words / C1

SAYKR-id/ˈseɪkrɪd/

Sacred means connected with religion, or treated as too important to interfere with: a sacred text, a sacred duty, nothing is sacred. Holy is the religious twin; precious is everyday and thinner. Secular (already in the dictionary) sits opposite the religious sense. Do not call a branding colour sacred, and do not treat an embargo as optional décor.

Meaning

Connected with religion, or too important to be interfered with.

Examples

• “The embargo date is treated as sacred; a courtesy leak is still a leak.”
• “Holy is of religion. Untouchable is informal. A duty can be solemn without being sacred. A fire certificate is law, not liturgy. A leak dressed as courtesy is still a leak.”

Good to know

Holy; or too important to touch. Everyday: precious. Opposite (religion): secular (already in the dictionary). An embargo is a date, not décor.

Near in meaning

holy

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