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SAFE

adjective
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\ ˈsāf How to pronounce safe (audio) \
safer; safest

Essential Meaning of safe

1 : not able or likely to be hurt or harmed in any way : not in danger I don't
feel safe in this neighborhood. The kids were safe in the cabin. We need to make
sure that the children are safe and sound.
2 : not able or likely to be lost, taken away, or given away "Is the money
safe?" "Yes, it's in the bank." Be sure to keep your wallet safe. [=keep it in a
place where it can't be stolen] See More ExamplesThe election is next week, and
the polls show that her lead is safe. [=her lead is large; she will not lose her
lead] Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. [=I will not tell anyone else
your secret]Hide
3 : not involving or likely to involve danger, harm, or loss a world made safe
from war Is it safe to walk here? See More ExamplesHe wished us a safe trip. We
are all hoping for their safe return. [=hoping that they will return without
being harmed]Hide


FULL DEFINITION OF SAFE

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : free from harm or risk : unhurt
2a : secure from threat of danger, harm, or loss
b : successful at getting to a base in baseball without being put out
3 : affording safety or security from danger, risk, or difficulty
4 obsolete, of mental or moral faculties : healthy, sound
5a : not threatening danger : harmless
b : unlikely to produce controversy or contradiction
6a : not likely to take risks : cautious
b : trustworthy, reliable

safe

noun

Definition of safe (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a place or receptacle to keep articles (such as valuables) safe
2 : condom sense 1
Other Words from safe Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More About
safe



OTHER WORDS FROM SAFE

Adjective

safe or safely adverb
safeness noun


SYNONYMS & ANTONYMS FOR SAFE

Synonyms: Adjective

 * all right,
   
 * alright,
   
 * secure
   
   

Synonyms: Noun

 * coffer,
   
 * safe-deposit box,
   
 * strongbox
   
   

Antonyms: Adjective

 * endangered,
   
 * exposed,
   
 * imperiled
 * (or imperilled),
   
 * insecure,
   
 * liable,
   
 * open,
   
 * subject (to),
   
 * susceptible,
   
 * threatened,
   
 * unsafe,
   
 * violable,
   
 * vulnerable
   
   

Visit the Thesaurus for More 


EXAMPLES OF SAFE IN A SENTENCE

Adjective I don't feel safe in this neighborhood. The kids were safe in the
cabin.
We need to make sure that the children are safe and sound. “Is the money safe?”
“Yes, it's in the bank.” a world made safe from war Is it safe to walk here? He
wished us a safe trip. I found a safe place to take shelter from the storm. They
live in a perfectly safe neighborhood. We watched the fireworks from a safe
distance. Noun the hotel recommended that we keep all our valuables in its safe
during our stay
See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective This is where using oven-safe meat
thermometers or instant-read thermometers are handy. — Sue Selasky, Detroit Free
Press, 22 Nov. 2021 Have a happy, safe, and please, a healthy Thanksgiving. —
NBC News, 21 Nov. 2021
The beauty e-tailer makes a habit of stocking the best up-and-coming,
under-the-radar, and foolproof brands, offering up fail-safe classics alongside
promising new lines. — Glamour, 20 Nov. 2021 The dishwasher-safe shaker also
comes in several colors. — Lily Gray, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Nov. 2021 Place
it on a microwave-safe plate and microwave it on HIGH for 5 minutes, rotating it
halfway through. — Washington Post, 19 Nov. 2021 Have on standby a Pyrex
measuring cup or any heat-safe measuring cup. — Bianca Betancourt, Harper's
BAZAAR, 17 Nov. 2021 McCorvey was arrested, taken to Fulton County Jail and
charged with DUI combination less safe, homicide by vehicle 2nd degree, failure
to maintain lane and possession of an open container, according to GSP. — Chris
Boyette, CNN, 16 Nov. 2021 Many kinds of identification suffice, and there are
meaningful fail-safe mechanisms for voters who do not have an ID. — Joshua
Douglas, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 13 Nov. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web:
Noun Mauldin said police discovered the suspects pulled the safe from the ATM. —
Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 16 Nov. 2021 Tracy Cloud told deputies
her husband went into their master bedroom and retrieved a gun that was kept
locked inside a safe. — oregonlive, 11 Nov. 2021 Two unknown suspects smashed a
front window to gain entry into a location, stole alcohol and removed a safe. —
Allana Haynes, baltimoresun.com, 25 Oct. 2021 To continue coaching, Rolovich
needed to receive the religious exemption and to have Chun determine that
Rolovich could do his job while keeping the public safe. — oregonlive, 18 Oct.
2021 Aspinall thinks to keep the public safe, testing should also include people
who are fully vaccinated. — Jen Christensen, CNN, 7 Oct. 2021 Private employers
are considering—and making—similar moves to keep employees and the public safe.
— Ben Chapman, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2021 Store your documents in a fireproof safe,
deposit box or the digital cloud. — Ashley Kilroy, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2021 In
some cases a burglar messes with the hinges, sometimes removing the dial and the
handle in a failed effort to open the safe of vault. — oregonlive, 26 Sep. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news
sources to reflect current usage of the word 'safe.' Views expressed in the
examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us
feedback.

See More



FIRST KNOWN USE OF SAFE

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1


HISTORY AND ETYMOLOGY FOR SAFE

Adjective

Middle English sauf, from Anglo-French salf, sauf, from Latin salvus safe,
healthy; akin to Latin solidus solid, Greek holos whole, safe, Sanskrit sarva
entire

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Time Traveler for safe

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THE FIRST KNOWN USE OF SAFE WAS IN THE 14TH CENTURY

See more words from the same century

From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Is it 'Drive Safe' or 'Drive Safely'?


IS IT 'DRIVE SAFE' OR 'DRIVE SAFELY'?

In praise of flat adverbs


DICTIONARY ENTRIES NEAR SAFE

Safawid

safe

safe-conduct

See More Nearby Entries 


PHRASES RELATED TO SAFE

(it's) better (to be) safe than sorry

a good/safe/sure bet

best/surest/safest bet


STATISTICS FOR SAFE

Last Updated

23 Nov 2021

Look-up Popularity

Top 1% of words

Cite this Entry

“Safe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster,
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safe. Accessed 1 Dec. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA Chicago APA Merriam-Webster




More Definitions for safe



safe

adjective
\ ˈsāf How to pronounce safe (audio) \
safer; safest


KIDS DEFINITION OF SAFE

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : free or secure from harm or danger I don't feel safe here.
2 : giving protection or security against harm or danger a safe neighborhood
3 : harmless safe drinking water
4 : unlikely to be wrong or cause disagreement a safe answer
5 : not likely to take risks : careful a safe driver
6 : successful in reaching a base in baseball

Other Words from safe

safely adverb

safe

noun

Kids Definition of safe (Entry 2 of 2)

: a metal box with a lock that is used for keeping something (as money) safe


CHOOSE THE RIGHT SYNONYM FOR SAFE

Adjective

safe and secure mean free from danger. safe is used of freedom from a present
danger. I felt safe as soon as I crossed the street. secure is used of freedom
from a possible future danger or risk. The locks on the door made us feel
secure.



safe

adjective
\ ˈsāf How to pronounce safe (audio) \
safer; safest


MEDICAL DEFINITION OF SAFE



: not causing harm or injury especially : having a low incidence of adverse
reactions and significant side effects when adequate instructions for use are
given and having a low potential for harm under conditions of widespread
availability a list of drugs generally regarded as safe safe use in pregnancy
has not been established — Emergency Medicine

Other Words from safe

safety \ ˈsāf- tē How to pronounce safe (audio) \ noun, plural safeties


More from Merriam-Webster on safe

Nglish: Translation of safe for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of safe for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about safe

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