Sacré

Sacré is a French word with several related meanings and uses. As an adjective, it derives from Latin sacer and primarily means sacred, holy, or consecrated. It is used for religious objects, places, or practices, for example un lieu sacré (a sacred place) or des rites sacrés. In secular language, sacré can also convey that something is held in high reverence or treated with special significance.

In colloquial French, sacré functions as an intensifier before a masculine noun, signaling surprise, admiration, or emphasis. Examples include un sacré boulot (a real job) or un sacré artiste (a remarkable artist). The feminine form is sacrée and is used before feminine nouns, as in une sacrée artiste or une sacrée histoire, depending on context.

As a noun, sacré can designate a remarkable person or thing, used in phrases such as un sacré personnage or un sacré numéro, meaning someone or something notably unusual or impressive.

Usage notes and related terms: in religious or solemn contexts, sacré is linked to the contrast with profane. In everyday speech it often takes on a humorous or emphatic tone. The expression sacrebleu is a historic oath derived from sacré and bleu, reflecting its cultural resonance in French. Overall, sacré spans reverence, emphasis, and characterization, with form and nuance adapting to gender and register.