sacrifice

Something valuable you give up, or the act of giving it up, to help achieve something more important.

• Leaving home was a sacrifice.
• Her parents made many sacrifices for her education.
• Is the extra money worth the sacrifice?

How to use it: a sacrifice for someone/something (Moving abroad was a sacrifice for her family.)

Common phrases: make a sacrifice, personal sacrifice, sacrifice for someone

A gift offered to a god, sometimes involving the killing of a person or animal.

• The priest prepared a sacrifice.
• The temple was used for animal sacrifices.
• They placed a sacrifice on the altar.

How to use it: a sacrifice to someone/something (They offered a sacrifice to the goddess.)

Similar words: offering

Common phrases: animal sacrifice, offer a sacrifice, sacrifice to gods, human sacrifice

To give up someone or something valuable to gain or protect something more important.

• I sacrificed my holiday to help.
• She sacrificed her career for her family.
• Would you sacrifice comfort for safety?

How to use it: sacrifice someone/something for someone/something (She sacrificed her free time for the children.); sacrifice something to do something (He sacrificed comfort to save money.)

Similar words: give up, forgo

Common phrases: sacrifice something, sacrifice for someone, sacrifice your career, sacrifice your life

To let an opponent take one of your game pieces so you can gain an advantage.

• He sacrificed a pawn.
• She sacrificed her queen and won the game.
• Would you sacrifice a rook in this position?

How to use it: sacrifice something for something (She sacrificed a knight for a stronger attack.)

Common phrases: sacrifice a pawn, sacrifice a queen, sacrifice a piece