secure

[ si-kyoor ]

adjective

, se·cur·er, se·cur·est.

1. free from or not exposed to danger or harm; safe.

   Antonyms: unsafe

2. dependable; firm; not liable to fail, yield, become displaced, etc., as a support or a fastening:

   The building was secure, even in an earthquake.

   Synonyms: fixed, fast, stable

3. affording safety, as a place:

   He needed a secure hideout.

4. in safe custody or keeping:

   Here in the vault the necklace was secure.

5. free from care; without anxiety:

   emotionally secure.

6. firmly established, as a relationship or reputation:

   He earned a secure place among the baseball immortals.

7. sure; certain; assured:

   secure of victory;

   secure in religious belief.

   Synonyms: confident

8. safe from penetration or interception by unauthorized persons:

   secure radio communications between army units.

9. Archaic. overconfident.

verb (used with object)

, se·cured, se·cur·ing.

1. to get hold or possession of; procure; obtain:

   to secure materials;

   to secure a high government position.

   Synonyms: gain

2. to free from danger or harm; make safe:

   Sandbags secured the town during the flood.

   Synonyms: safeguard, guard, protect

3. to effect; make certain of; ensure:

   The novel secured his reputation.

   Synonyms: guarantee, assure

4. to make firm or fast, as by attaching:

   to secure a rope.

5. Finance.
   1. to assure payment of (a debt) by pledging property.
   2. to assure (a creditor) of payment by the pledge or mortgaging of property.
6. to lock or fasten against intruders:

   to secure the doors.

7. to protect from attack by taking cover, by building fortifications, etc.:

   The regiment secured its position.

8. to capture (a person or animal):

   No one is safe until the murderer is secured.

9. to tie up (a person), especially by binding the person's arms or hands; pinion.
10. to guarantee the privacy or secrecy of:

    to secure diplomatic phone conversations.

verb (used without object)

, se·cured, se·cur·ing.

1. to be or become safe; have or obtain security.
2. Nautical.
   1. to cover openings and make movable objects fast:

      The crew was ordered to secure for sea.

   2. to be excused from duty:

      to secure from general quarters.

secure

/ sɪˈkjʊə /

adjective

1. free from danger, damage, etc
2. free from fear, care, etc
3. in safe custody
4. not likely to fail, become loose, etc
5. able to be relied on; certain

   a secure investment

6. nautical stowed away or made inoperative
7. archaic.
   careless or overconfident

verb

1. tr to obtain or get possession of

   I will secure some good seats

2. whenintr, often foll by against to make or become free from danger, fear, etc
3. tr to make fast or firm; fasten
4. whenintr, often foll by against to make or become certain; guarantee

   this plan will secure your happiness

5. tr to assure (a creditor) of payment, as by giving security
6. tr to make (a military position) safe from attack
7. nautical to make (a vessel or its contents) safe or ready by battening down hatches, stowing gear, etc
8. tr nautical to stow or make inoperative

   to secure the radio

Derived Forms

• seˈcurer, noun
• seˈcurely, adverb
• seˈcureness, noun
• seˈcurement, noun
• seˈcurable, adjective

Other Words From

• se·cura·ble adjective
• se·curely adverb
• se·cureness noun
• se·curer noun
• over·se·cure adjective verb (used with object) oversecured oversecuring
• over·se·curely adverb
• pre·se·cure verb (used with object) presecured presecuring
• quasi-se·cure adjective
• quasi-se·curely adverb
• rese·cure verb resecured resecuring
• super·se·cure adjective
• super·se·curely adverb
• super·se·cureness noun
• unse·cure adjective
• unse·curely adverb
• unse·cureness noun
• well-se·cured adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of secure¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin sēcūrus “carefree,” equivalent to sē- se- + cūr(a) “care” ( cure ) + -us, adjective suffix; sure

Word History and Origins

Origin of secure¹

C16: from Latin sēcūrus free from care, from sē- without + cūra care

Synonym Study

See safe. See get.

Example Sentences

Gutierrez-Ochoa allegedly kidnapped two members of the Mexican Navy around November 2021 in an attempt to secure the release of his mother-in-law, El Mencho’s wife, who had been arrested by Mexican authorities.

From Los Angeles Times

Wealthy politicians, by contrast, would be allowed to do as many crimes as they please, secure in the knowledge that as long as they file the paperwork necessary to run for office, and thereafter manage to convince a plurality of the electorate to vote for them, they will enjoy the privilege of being able to escape accountability altogether.

From Slate

"Although the proposed innovative work will reach those who have not previously engaged with opera before, it does not offer the scale of production or stability of engagement that would lead to the protection and creation of secure jobs for the opera workforce," he said.

From BBC

In 2024-25, Villa have shifted to a less secure back two.

From BBC

A growing minority say they’re willing to give up territory to secure peace.

From BBC

Related Words

• achieve
• assure
• buy
• capture
• ensure
• gain
• get
• guarantee
• have
• insure
• take
• win