Sacrifice Meaning and Definition
Sacrifice
Pronunciation
/ˈsækrɪfaɪs/
Part of Speech
Noun, Verb
Definition
a) The act of giving up something that is valued or desired, especially for the benefit of others, or as an offering to a deity or the gods. b) The thing being given up or offered.
Examples
- The farmer made a sacrifice by selling his livestock to feed his community during the drought.
- The athlete made a sacrifice by training every day to prepare for the championship.
Synonyms
- Offering
- Gift
- Abandonment
Antonyms
- Gain
- Advantage
Etymology
The word ‘Sacrifice’ comes from the Latin ‘sacrificium,’ which is derived from ‘sacer,’ meaning ‘holy,’ and ‘facere,’ meaning ‘to do.’
Usage Notes
Sacrifice can be used in both a physical and metaphorical sense. It is often used to describe acts of generosity, selflessness, or devotion.
Cultural References
Sacrifice has been a central theme in many cultures and religions, including ancient Greek and Roman sacrifices, as well as Hindu and Christian rituals.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Make a sacrifice Take one for the team Give up something for someone else’s benefit
Related Words or Phrases
Offer, gift, donation, renunciation, abnegation
Collocations
Sacrifice + for, sacrifice + the benefit of, sacrifice + someone/something, make a sacrifice
Frequency of Use
Sacrifice is a relatively common word in modern language, with a frequency of use ranking it in the top 1,000 words.
Common Misspellings
sacrific, sacrifise, sacrafice, sacrifyce