French Conversation · Level 124
58 words
French word
cachet
Pronunciation
IPA/kaʃɛ/
Meaning
- masculine nouncharm
Example
Cette ville a un certain cachet.
This town has a certain charm.
More examples
Son discours manque de cachet et d'originalité.
His speech lacks character and originality.
Core concept
A distinctive stamp of style gives a place, object, or person extra character.
Common phrases
le cachet d'époque
period character
manquer de cachet
lack character
Similar words
charme: A pleasant, appealing quality that draws people in.
style: A coherent look, design, or manner of expression with a distinctive sense of taste.
élégance: A graceful, polished quality marked by refinement and good taste.
prestige: An imposing respectability that comes from high status or social regard.
Definition in French
Qualité subtile qui donne à un lieu, un objet ou une personne une certaine distinction ou un charme, souvent liée à une particularité de style ou à une réputation.
Word origin
Cachet comes from Middle French cachet, a small seal or stamped mark formed from cacher; its association with authority led to the sense of distinctive character.
Usage tips
- Cachet is masculine, so the usual form is un cachet and the phrase is avoir du cachet.
Other meanings
- sealnoun
- prestigenoun
Opposites
- banalitébanalitynoun
- insignifianceinsignificancenoun