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

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

From BBC

Future studies will aim to explore these mechanisms further and establish safe exposure thresholds.

From Science Daily

It found that Mrs Thompson had care plans in place which indicated she required the assistance of two carers in order to stay safe while being moved.

From BBC

“Many were not here in 2015. You have falafel, shawarma - many shops for Syrian food. It was a comfortable, safe place for Syrians…” But now the mood is darkening.

From BBC

It’s usually silly to declare races over this early, but this seems like a safe bet.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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

More About Safe

What is a basic definition of safe?

Safe describes something that is secure from harm or danger. Safe can also refer to something that is free from danger and is not risky. Safe is a secure object that is used to keep valuables in. Safe has several other senses as an adjective, noun, and adverb.

Safe means that something or someone is secured. If you’re safe, you don’t have to worry about getting hurt or being at risk. The word safety means something is intended to help avoid risk or the state of not being at risk.

Real-life examples: Babies are usually kept in cribs or limited to certain parts of a house so that they will be kept safe and won’t wander into danger. Eggs are kept in special containers designed to keep them safe from cracking. Athletes often wear equipment such as helmets that keep their sensitive body parts safe (or safer) from injury.

Used in a sentence: The scared child felt safe with their father and mother. 

Safe also means something or someone avoided danger or managed to come through an event unhurt. This sense is often used in the phrase safe and sound.

Real-life examples: Firefighters, police, and paramedics won’t relax or leave a scene until they know everyone is safe. Family members of people stuck in a dangerous situation hope they will be safe.

Used in a sentence: Somehow, Ebony made it out safe and sound after falling into the lion exhibit. 

Safe can also mean that something is not risky or is unlikely to be wrong.

Real-life examples: In gambling, safe bets usually have low prizes. Companies that are already very successful and financially secure are usually considered safe investments. It is a safe guess to say it will rain if you already see thunderclouds and lightning.

Used in a sentence: We took the safe way home by walking together on brightly lit streets. 

A safe is a secure box or similar object that is designed to protect valuables from being stolen or damaged.

Real-life examples: Banks and stores often keep cash locked in a safe. You might keep your cherished things in a small safe that has a lock and key.

Used in a sentence: Jadyn keeps his gold coins in an iron safe hidden behind a painting on the wall.

Where does safe come from?

The first records of safe come from around 1250. It ultimately comes from the Latin salvus, meaning “intact” or “whole.”

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to safe?

• safely (adverb)
• safeness (noun)
• quasi-safe (adjective)
• quasi-safely (adverb)

What are some synonyms for safe?

• secure
• harmless
• intact
• unhurt
• cautious
• conservative

What are some words that share a root or word element with safe? 

• safety
• save
• safeguard
• safekeeping
• safe house
• safe space
• safe and sound

What are some words that often get used in discussing safe?

• pretty
• place
• feel
• assets
• haven

How is safe used in real life?

Safe is a common word that is often used to refer to not being in danger or at risk.

Sad that I won’t be able to see my family for Thanksgiving but it is worth taking the extra precautions to make sure they are safe.

— Joaquín Beltrán 🐇 (@joaquinlife) November 25, 2020

We have located Don and he is safe and sound.

— Bloomington Police (@BPD_MN) November 26, 2020

It's a safe bet that when someone says to you, "With all due respect…" something disrespectful is comin' up next.

— David Carroll (@DAVIDCARROLL3) May 8, 2020

 

 

Try using safe!

Is safe used correctly in the following sentence?

He didn’t want to risk taking the safe path with many dangerous twists and turns next to steep cliffs.