Safe: meaning, definitions and examples

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safe

 

[ seษชf ]

Adjective / Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000 Rating and qualities
Context #1 | Adjective

feeling protected

Protected from or not exposed to danger or risk; not likely to be harmed or lost.

Synonyms

protected, secure, shielded.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
safe

Used to describe a place or state where there is no danger or risk.

  • Make sure to keep your passwords safe.
  • He felt safe walking down the well-lit street.
secure

Used to describe something or someone that is safe from threats or has a stable and firm position. Also often used in the context of data and physical safety.

  • Make sure your home is secure before going on vacation.
  • Her job position is secure due to her outstanding performance.
protected

Used to describe something that is guarded or kept away from harm or damage.

  • The wildlife reserve is a protected area.
  • The children were protected from the rain by the large umbrella.
shielded

Used to describe something or someone that is covered or hidden from harm, often implying a physical barrier.

  • The car's body is shielded from impact by reinforced steel.
  • He shielded her from the harsh wind with his coat.

Examples of usage

  • He felt safe in his own home.
  • It's important to provide a safe environment for children to grow up in.
Context #2 | Noun

strongbox

A strong fireproof cabinet with a complex lock, used for the storage of valuables.

Synonyms

locker, strongbox, vault.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
safe

A place for securely storing valuables, often found in homes or offices.

  • She kept her jewelry in a safe for protection.
  • The company installed a safe to store important documents.
strongbox

A heavy, secure box used for storing valuables, typically more robust than a regular safe.

  • The ancient manuscripts were stored in a strongbox to prevent theft.
  • They used a strongbox to protect their cash during the long journey.
vault

A large, secure room or space, often found in banks, used for storing money, documents, or other valuable items.

  • The bank's vault had layers of security to prevent any burglary attempts.
  • They moved the paintings into the vault for safekeeping during the renovation.
locker

A small storage compartment, often found in schools, gyms, or workplaces, used for storing personal items.

  • He kept his gym clothes in a locker at the fitness center.
  • Every student was assigned a locker for their books and belongings.

Examples of usage

  • He kept his important documents in a safe at the bank.
  • The jewelry was stored in a secure safe.
Context #3 | Verb

make secure

Keep (something) from harm, damage, or loss.

Synonyms

protect, safeguard, secure.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
safe

Suitable for describing an environment or condition free from danger, risk, or injury. The word is commonly used in everyday conversations to discuss safety measures or to assure someone that everything is okay.

  • The children are safe at school.
  • Make sure you wear your helmet to stay safe.
protect

Often used to describe the action of keeping someone or something safe from harm or injury. It implies active effort and can be used in contexts involving physical, emotional, or digital security.

  • She always tries to protect her younger brother.
  • We need to protect our planet from pollution.
secure

Used to denote making something safe and free from danger or risk, especially regarding valuable or sensitive items. It can also imply a sense of stability and reliability in various contexts like finance, information systems, or physical protection.

  • The company has secure software to protect user information.
  • Make sure the door is locked and secure before you leave.
safeguard

Typically used in more formal settings to indicate measures taken to protect something or someone from harm. It often appears in legal or official documents, as well as in discussions about rights and policies.

  • We need to create policies to safeguard user data.
  • These regulations are in place to safeguard public health.

Examples of usage

  • She wanted to safe her precious memories by keeping them in a digital format.
  • They safed the valuable artifacts in a temperature-controlled room.

Translations

Translations of the word "safe" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น seguro

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเฅเคฐเค•เฅเคทเคฟเคค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช sicher

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ aman

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฑะตะทะฟะตั‡ะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ bezpieczny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฎ‰ๅ…จใช (anzen'na)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท sรปr

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ seguro

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท gรผvenli

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์•ˆ์ „ํ•œ (anjeonhan)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุขู…ู†

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ bezpeฤnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ bezpeฤnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฎ‰ๅ…จ็š„ (ฤnquรกn de)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ varen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รถruggur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐัƒั–ะฟัั–ะท

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฃแƒกแƒแƒคแƒ แƒ—แƒฎแƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tษ™hlรผkษ™siz

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ seguro

Etymology

The word 'safe' originated from the Old French word 'sauf', meaning 'uninjured, intact, safe'. It entered Middle English in the 13th century with the same meaning of 'secure, free from danger'. Over time, its usage expanded to include the concept of protection and security. The modern usage of 'safe' encompasses both physical and emotional safety, reflecting the fundamental human need for security.

See also: safekeeping, safely, safen, safeness, safety, unsafe.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,537, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.