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: adverb

   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
   on the safe side as a precaution

adverb

1. in a safe condition

   the children are safe in bed now

2. play safe
   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. See condom
   a slang word for condom

Derived Forms

• ˈsafely, adverb
• ˈsafeness, noun

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 it must make sure that the platform of debate where we can freely exchange ideas is safe and sound.

From The Daily Beast

They called for peace, reconciliation, and the safe return of Father Gregorio.

From The Daily Beast

Their leader, Njie, still going by “Dave” during the operation, would stay a safe distance away until the State House was secure.

From The Daily Beast

“We wish each and every one of you a happy and safe new year,” Giorgio said at the very end.

From The Daily Beast

There was Carol White, a ho-hum homemaker who finds herself besieged by multiple chemical sensitivity in Safe.

From The Daily Beast

A desultory conversation on politics, in which neither took the slightest interest, was a safe neutral ground.

From Project Gutenberg

The governor of the fortress was provided with a safe residence in Egypt, and an annual pension of 75,000 piasters.

From Project Gutenberg

Could this be the safe old house in which childish days had passed, in which all around were always friendly and familiar faces?

From Project Gutenberg

The truth is, it is not safe to trot down such mountains and hardly to ride down them at all.

From Project Gutenberg

What reliance could repose upon a house, divided against itself—not safe from the extravagance and pillage of its own members?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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