French word

sacrément

Pronunciation

IPA/sakʁemɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbreally

Example

Il fait sacrément chaud aujourd'hui.

It's really hot today.

Illustration for sacrément (really)

More examples

Cet hôtel est sacrément cher.

This hotel is really expensive.

Core concept

A sudden boost in expressive force that pushes a description well beyond ordinary emphasis.

Common phrases

  • sacrément compliqué

    really complicated

  • sacrément cher

    really expensive

Similar words

très: A straightforward intensifier meaning very.
vraiment: An intensifier meaning really, strengthening degree or certainty.
tellement: An intensifier showing that a degree is exceptionally high.
vachement: A casual colloquial intensifier meaning very or extremely.

Definition in French

Sert à accentuer une qualité ou une émotion, exprimant souvent stupeur, admiration ou insistance, comparable à «très».

Word origin

French formed sacrément from sacrement, a religious word of Latin origin, through a colloquial shift from sacred language to emphatic speech.

Usage tips

  • Sacrément often carries an emotional edge, while très is the safer neutral intensifier across registers.

Other meanings

  • veryadverb

Opposites

  • modérémentmoderatelyadverb
  • peulittleadverb

Related words

Word lists with this word