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
Mating with a cousin or brother is safer than risking life and limb to mate with an outsider.
Mongooses, Meerkats, and Ants, Oh My! Why Some Animals Keep Mating All in the Family | Helen Thompson | December 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTWaiting there, I thought, was safer than walking home alone.
I Was Gang Raped at a UVA Frat 30 Years Ago, and No One Did Anything | Liz Seccuro | December 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA powdered form of the measles vaccine could make delivery safer and easier around the world.
Powdered Measles Vaccine Could Be Huge for Developing World | Kent Sepkowitz | December 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTEncouraging any victim of crime to come forward makes us all safer.
We need rape victims to come forward to make our communities safer.
If we had shot 'em without discrimination, the cowards would have got bold, seein' that they weren't safer in rear than in front.
In ordinary work, however, it is safer to base the distinction upon size than upon structure.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis | James Campbell ToddShe is always in fear of an earthquake, and feels safer to have a light burning in readiness all night long.
Alila, Our Little Philippine Cousin | Mary Hazelton Wade"Happier—and safer," she said gravely, the canoe giving a dangerous lurch as she leaned forward in her seat to catch my answer.
Three More John Silence Stories | Algernon BlackwoodThe top may be broken off with the hand or cut with a knife, the latter being the better as well as the safer way.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce | E. R. Billings.
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.
Browse