sake

¹ American  

[seyk] / seɪk /

noun

1. cause, account, interest, or benefit.

   for the sake of all students.

   Synonyms:

   respect, consideration, regard

2. purpose or end.

   for the sake of appearances.

   Synonyms:

   reason

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sake ² American  

[sah-kee] / ˈsɑ ki /

Or saké,

noun

1. a Japanese fermented, mildly alcoholic beverage made from rice.

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sake ¹ British  

/ seɪk /

noun

1. benefit or interest (esp in the phrase for ( someone's or one's own ) sake )

2. the purpose of obtaining or achieving (esp in the phrase for the sake of ( something ))

3. used in various exclamations of impatience, urgency, etc

   for heaven's sake

   for pete's sake

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sake ² British  

/ ˈsækɪ /

noun

1. a Japanese alcoholic drink made from fermented rice

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sake Idioms  

1. see for the sake of.

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Etymology

Origin of sake¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English sacu “lawsuit, cause”; cognate with German Sache “thing,” Old Norse sǫk “lawsuit”; akin to seek

Origin of sake²

First recorded in 1680–90; from Japanese sake; compare Okinawan saki

Example Sentences

They who had lost everything for the sake of electricity were now in the middle of nowhere without power, roads, schools, or hospitals.

From Literature

“It’s not a superpower. It’s one gift. An ability to listen, for the sake of ourselves and for others.”

From Literature

Danni said she had to push him to regain some independence for the sake of their family: "Being completely and brutally honest, something had to change as it was going to ruin our marriage."

From BBC

He loves the sunshine, but offers for my sake to move somewhere in the shade.

From Los Angeles Times

“Here then. I wish you luck. For all our sakes, but most of all for your own, little Immortal. Drink it quickly, and in one.”

From Literature

Related Words

• well-being