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

Explanation

Certain high-end brands have a particular cachet, or respectability. People just know they are the finest of their kind. The word cachet comes from the French cachet meaning "seal affixed to a letter or document," and if something has cachet, it's as if it has a seal of approval from society. If you start a design company selling cachets for people to seal their letters with fancy wax, try getting some celebrities to endorse it. Then your cachets will have cachet — and that's fancy.

Example Sentences

Various media and tech players eyed the brand—with its four decades of cultural cachet, 100 million aggregate social media followers, and Rolodex of Bezoses and Ballmers.

From Slate • May 8, 2026

While Byrne didn’t pull off a deserved underdog win last week, an Oscar nomination — alongside her Golden Globe win in January — carries a certain cachet regardless.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

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

The Brutalist monumentalism of the Kennedy Center also grew over time to be loved, increasingly bringing cachet to a diverse nation’s artistic needs.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

“What he said. Not much high school cachet to be had in being a female who has, you know, vocal opinions about anything.”

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner

Related Words

• prestige
• stature