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View synonyms for secure

secure

[si-kyoor]

adjective

securer, securest 
  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)

secured, securing 
  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)

secured, securing 
  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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. (tr) to obtain or get possession of

    I will secure some good seats

  2. to make or become free from danger, fear, etc

  3. (tr) to make fast or firm; fasten

  4. 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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • securable adjective
  • securely adverb
  • secureness noun
  • securer noun
  • oversecure adjective
  • oversecurely adverb
  • presecure verb (used with object)
  • quasi-secure adjective
  • quasi-securely adverb
  • resecure verb
  • supersecure adjective
  • supersecurely adverb
  • supersecureness noun
  • unsecure adjective
  • unsecurely adverb
  • unsecureness noun
  • well-secured adjective
  • securement noun
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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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of secure1

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

See safe. See get.
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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Tories have suggested that the PM's national security adviser Jonathan Powell, who has sought closer relations with Beijing, failed to give the CPS the evidence it needed to secure convictions.

Read more on BBC

On Thursday, China’s Commerce Ministry said foreign supplies must secure government approval to export certain products containing rare earth minerals.

Read more on Barron's

How do I ensure he is financially secure after I die?

Read more on MarketWatch

Funding was secured in 2023 to build a "like-for-like" replacement school on the Isle of Mull to replace the dilapidated Tobermory High School, which also houses a primary and nursery school.

Read more on BBC

"It remains essential borrowers seek independent advice to navigate the mortgage maze and not feel pressured to secure a deal because of the Budget rumour mill," she said.

Read more on BBC

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secundussecured loan