safely

American  

[seyf-lee] / ˈseɪf li /

adverb

1. without harm or injury.

   The travel team has arrived safely and on schedule.

2. without risk or danger.

   While we sit safely in our air-conditioned homes complaining, he’s driving across the country working for change.

3. in a way that protects from loss, damage, or harm.

   I wanted that piece of paper safely filed away, just in case I needed to look at it again.

4. without likelihood of being wrong; with reasonable assurance.

   I think we can safely say that the zoo expects some puma kittens later this year!

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• supersafely
  adverb
• unsafely
  adverb
• quasi-safely
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of safely

safe + -ly

Explanation

Do something in a careful or cautious way, and you'll do it safely. The most important thing you'll learn in a drivers ed class is to drive safely. "Travel safely!" you might call to a departing friend. You're encouraging them to avoid danger as they make their way home. You can bike safely by wearing a helmet and using hand signals, and use power tools safely by following all the rules and focusing on your work. Safely comes from safe and its Latin root salvus, "uninjured or in good health."

Example Sentences

The biggest one: Safely fly the crew on vehicles that have never carried astronauts before.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

Safely bringing the blessed objects home was an important part of the journey.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2025

Safely repurposing electronic products automatically eliminates the greenhouse gas production associated with creating new devices.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2024

Safely back on dry land, the migrants used borrowed phones to call their families.

From BBC • Aug. 11, 2023

Safely imprisoned in the girl’s arms, the cat stared at Lord Fredrick.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• carefully
• cautiously
• harmlessly