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
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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