safe

[ seyf ]

adjective

, saf·er, saf·est.

1. secure from liability to harm, injury, danger, or risk:

   a safe place.

   Synonyms: guarded, invulnerable

2. free from hurt, injury, danger, or risk:

   to arrive safe and sound.

3. involving little or no risk of mishap, error, etc.:

   a safe estimate.

4. dependable or trustworthy:

   a safe guide.

   Synonyms: reliable, sure

5. careful to avoid danger or controversy:

   a safe player; a safe play.

   Synonyms: careful, wary

6. denied the chance to do harm; in secure custody:

   a criminal safe in jail.

7. Baseball.
   1. reaching base without being put out:

      safe on the throw to first base.

   2. making it possible to reach a base:

      a safe slide.

adverb

1. Informal. in a safe manner; safely:

   Learn how to drive safe.

noun

1. a steel or iron box or repository for money, jewels, papers, etc.

   Synonyms: safe-deposit box, chest, coffer, strongbox

2. any receptacle or structure for the storage or preservation of articles:

   a meat safe.

3. (in plumbing)
   1. a pan for catching leakage.
   2. template ( def 7 ).
4. Slang. a condom.

safe

/ seɪf /

adjective

1. affording security or protection from harm

   a safe place

2. postpositive free from danger

   you'll be safe here

3. secure from risk; certain; sound

   a safe investment

   a safe bet

4. worthy of trust; prudent

   a safe companion

5. tending to avoid controversy or risk

   a safe player

6. unable to do harm; not dangerous

   a criminal safe behind bars

   water safe to drink

7. informal.
   excellent
8. on the safe side
   as a precaution

adverb

1. in a safe condition

   the children are safe in bed now

2. play safe
   to act in a way least likely to cause danger, controversy, or defeat

noun

1. a strong container, usually of metal and provided with a secure lock, for storing money or valuables
2. a small ventilated cupboard-like container for storing food
3. a slang word for condom

Derived Forms

• ˈsafeness, noun
• ˈsafely, adverb

Other Words From

• safe·ly adverb
• safe·ness noun
• qua·si-safe adjective
• su·per·safe adjective
• su·per·safe·ness noun
• ul·tra·safe adjective
• un·safe adjective
• un·safe·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of safe¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; (adjective) Middle English sauf, saf from Anglo-French saf, Old French sauf from Latin salvus “intact, whole”; (noun) late Middle English save, originally derivative of save ¹, assimilated to the adjective; salvation

Word History and Origins

Origin of safe¹

C13: from Old French salf, from Latin salvus; related to Latin salus safety

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. play it safe, play ( def 85 ).

More idioms and phrases containing safe

• better safe than sorry
• on the safe side
• play it safe

Synonym Study

Safe, secure can both imply that something can be regarded as free from danger. These words are frequently interchangeable. Safe, however, is applied rather to a person or thing that is out of or has passed beyond the reach of danger: The ship is safe in port. Secure is applied to that about which there is no need to fear or worry: to feel secure about the future; The foundation of the house does not seem very secure.

Example Sentences

And here it's anyone's guess as to what you're buying, what it truly contains and how safe it might be.

From BBC

The gold-capped tooth of Patrice Lumumba, the Democratic Republic of Congo's independence hero, is safe and has not been stolen, his daughter has told the BBC.

From BBC

While she pleaded publicly for the safe return of her sons, they were at the bottom of a nearby lake.

From BBC

"I reviewed decades of science linking nature to human health -- and found that views to nature, canopy cover and parks are all really essential if we want to be mentally healthy, physically active and safe from heatwave impacts."

From Science Daily

While their use is considered safe in small amounts, their potential as endocrine disruptors raises concerns about long-term health effects, such as the recent increase in allergenic diseases such as asthma, particularly during sensitive periods like pregnancy.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• certain
• clear
• dependable
• harmless
• healthy
• pure
• reliable
• secure