safe
secure from liability to harm, injury, danger, or risk: a safe place.
free from hurt, injury, danger, or risk: to arrive safe and sound.
involving little or no risk of mishap, error, etc.: a safe estimate.
dependable or trustworthy: a safe guide.
careful to avoid danger or controversy: a safe player; a safe play.
denied the chance to do harm; in secure custody: a criminal safe in jail.
Baseball.
reaching base without being put out: safe on the throw to first base.
making it possible to reach a base: a safe slide.
a steel or iron box or repository for money, jewels, papers, etc.
any receptacle or structure for the storage or preservation of articles: a meat safe.
(in plumbing)
a pan for catching leakage.
Slang. a condom.
Idioms about safe
play it safe, play (def. 85).
Origin of safe
1synonym study For safe
Other words for safe
1 | protected, invulnerable, guarded |
4 | sure, reliable |
5 | wary, careful |
9 | strongbox, coffer, chest, safe-deposit box |
Other words from safe
- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use safe in a sentence
Nicaragua also is one of the safest countries in the region.
China’s Nicaragua Canal Could Spark a New Central America Revolution | Nina Lakhani | November 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnother blank band go to the cops who transformed New York into the safest big city in America.
It’s Time for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans to Get a Parade of Their Own | Michael Daly | November 11, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd yet, regardless of what side of the industry a performer is on, they think their way is safest.
Risky Business or None of Your Business? Gay XXX Films and the Condom Question | Aurora Snow | November 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTNamed the safest city in California, its 100,000 residents are mostly white and affluent.
If lax guns laws and more guns overall made people safer, the United States would be the safest place in the world.
How the Gun Nuts Try to Excuse Away the Santa Barbara Slaughter—and Why They’re All Wrong | Cliff Schecter | May 27, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
A few years ago the “Galette” was not the safest of places for a stranger to go to alone.
The Real Latin Quarter | F. Berkeley SmithIndeed it will probably be safest for beginners to continue this degree of heat until one-third of the leaf is dried.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce | E. R. Billings.If designed to be reared, the safest and least troublesome method, is to keep the calf on new milk.
Domestic Animals | Richard L. AllenThis 132 seems one of the safest places on this very dangerous road.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson, Volume XXI | Robert Louis StevensonOne of the safest devices for bolting, or locking, a door against intruders is to use two sets of hinges.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2 | Various
British Dictionary definitions for safe
/ (seɪf) /
affording security or protection from harm: a safe place
(postpositive) free from danger: you'll be safe here
secure from risk; certain; sound: a safe investment; a safe bet
worthy of trust; prudent: a safe companion
tending to avoid controversy or risk: a safe player
unable to do harm; not dangerous: a criminal safe behind bars; water safe to drink
British informal excellent
on the safe side as a precaution
in a safe condition: the children are safe in bed now
play safe to act in a way least likely to cause danger, controversy, or defeat
a strong container, usually of metal and provided with a secure lock, for storing money or valuables
a small ventilated cupboard-like container for storing food
US and Canadian a slang word for condom
Origin of safe
1Derived forms of safe
- safely, adverb
- safeness, noun
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with safe
In addition to the idioms beginning with safe
- safe and sound
- safe as houses
also see:
- better safe than sorry
- on the safe side
- play it safe
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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