DictionaryAI

sacred

adjective
SAY-krid/ˈseɪkɹɪd/

4 meanings of sacred

Practice

  1. 1
    adjective
    Holy. Connected with or given to God, a god, or religion, and so treated with deep respect.

    The king claimed his power was sacred and given by God.

    They believed the laws came from God, so the laws were sacred to them.

    Similarholy, hallowed, sanctified, divine, blessed

    Note
  2. 2
    adjective
    To do with religion or the spirit, not with ordinary worldly things.

    Sacred texts are read aloud every week at the mosque.

    The choir sings both sacred music and pop songs.

    UsageOften used with secular: sacred music and secular music.

    Similarreligious, spiritual, devotional

    Oppositesecular, profane

    Note
  3. 3
    must be protectedadjective
    So important or special that it must never be harmed or broken.

    Like a rule everyone agrees must never be broken.

    A promise between them was sacred and could never be broken.

    To her, family time was sacred, and nothing was allowed to interrupt it.

    UsageOften in hold something sacred: she holds family time sacred.

    Similarinviolable, sacrosanct

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    adjectivearchaic
    Cursed or doomed, and promised over to evil or punishment.
    But, to destruction sacred and devote.
    1667, John Milton, Paradise LostHere, sacred means cursed, set apart for destruction.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English sacred, the past participle of the verb sacren, meaning 'to make holy'.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts