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

---

sake ² American  

[sah-kee] / ˈsɑ ki /

Or saké,

noun

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

---

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

---

sake ² British  

/ ˈsækɪ /

noun

1. a Japanese alcoholic drink made from fermented rice

---

sake Idioms  

1. see for the sake of.

---

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

Ultimately, Franco jettisons his characters for the sake of unearned plot twists that leave the viewer feeling only icky.

From Los Angeles Times

In leaving mediumship for Elisha’s sake, she had also left behind an exciting life with fellow celebrities, new ideas, and lively conversation.

From Literature

“Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Mama said, “something has to be done.”

From Literature

“I’m not passionate about learning about consumers just for the sake of it,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I think it's just a reminder to take every opportunity to tell people turn the heat down, for goodness sake, we can't take these things for granted."

From BBC

Related Words

• well-being