cachet

American  

[ka-shey, kash-ey, ka-she] / kæˈʃeɪ, ˈkæʃ eɪ, kaˈʃɛ /

noun

plural

cachets

1. an official seal, such as on a letter or document.

2. a distinguishing mark or feature; stamp.

   Relentless innovation is the cachet of success in the business world.

3. a sign or expression of approval, especially from a person who has a great deal of prestige.

4. superior status; prestige.

   In that country, any government job has a certain cachet.

5. Pharmacology. a hollow wafer for enclosing a bad-tasting medicine.

6. Philately. a firm name, slogan, or design stamped or printed on an envelope or folded letter.

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cachet British  

/ ˈkæʃeɪ /

noun

1. an official seal on a document, letter, etc

2. a distinguishing mark; stamp

3. prestige; distinction

4. philately

   1. a mark stamped by hand on mail for commemorative purposes

   2. a small mark made by dealers and experts on the back of postage stamps Compare overprint surcharge

5. a hollow wafer, formerly used for enclosing an unpleasant-tasting medicine

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Etymology

Origin of cachet

First recorded in 1630–40; from French: literally, “small hiding place,” from cache cache + -et -et

Example Sentences

That balance—maintaining imported cachet while adapting to local tastes—has allowed warehouse retailers to capture consumers who are value-conscious but not necessarily willing to sacrifice quality.

From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026

For decades, China lacked cultural cachet on the world stage, even as it became an economic superpower.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 24, 2026

Banks had cachet to burn, which made her proposal to challenge the fashion industry’s idea of beauty by finding the next great model via a reality TV competition revolutionary.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

Burnham is also trying to use the city's sporting cachet to attract the globe's biggest contests.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2026

So the implication is clear: the parents of all those Alexandras, Laurens, Katherines, Madisons, and Rachels should not expect the cachet to last much longer.

From "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" by Steven D. Levitt

Related Words

• prestige
• stature