insecure
Americanadjective
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subject to fears, doubts, etc.; not self-confident or assured.
an insecure person.
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not confident or certain; uneasy; anxious.
He was insecure about the examination.
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not secure; exposed or liable to risk, loss, or danger.
an insecure stock portfolio.
- Synonyms:
- risky
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not firmly or reliably placed or fastened.
an insecure ladder.
adjective
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anxious or afraid; not confident or certain
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not adequately protected
an insecure fortress
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unstable or shaky
Usage
What does insecure mean? Insecure means subject to fears and doubt, as in Sally was such an insecure person that she didn’t believe she did anything well, even when she got A’s on her tests. Insecure can also mean anxious or uneasy, as in Tom was insecure about his chances for a promotion, worrying about it so much that he couldn’t sleep at night. Insecure can mean not secure, that is, exposed to danger or risk. A safe with a broken lock would be an insecure safe. Anyone could open the safe and take what was inside. Lastly, insecure can refer to something that is not firmly placed or fastened, as with a fire escape that is not completely fastened to a building. Example: The bankrobbers easily broke into the insecure vault and escaped with all of the money.
Related Words
See uncertain.
Other Word Forms
- insecurely adverb
- insecureness noun
- insecurity noun
Etymology
Origin of insecure
From the Medieval Latin word insēcūrus, dating back to 1640–50. See in- 3, secure
Explanation
Insecure means either lacking self-confidence or lacking security. An insecure person might constantly doubt their own intelligence. An insecure building is an easy target for even the most bumbling burglar. Break insecure down to its basic parts and you've got in, meaning "not," combined with secure, meaning "safe": not safe. This understanding of the word emerged in the 1640’s. It wasn't until 1917 that people began to use insecure to describe delicate, unsure egos. Today it's used to describe everything from easily cracked safes to uncertain futures.
Vocabulary lists containing insecure
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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.
She says her compulsive use of social media made her “feel very depressed” and that unrealistic images she saw on the platforms made her feel insecure about her appearance.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 25, 2026
Over the show’s seven-season run, Brendon became a central figure, portraying the witty, insecure but dependable “everyman” in the gang’s battles against the forces of darkness.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 21, 2026
A teenager insecure in their academics, social standing, or identity might see A.I. writing as a savior, a way to avoid unwanted labor and protect themselves against their perceived shortcomings.
From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026
The head of the Volunteers' House, Margit Vestbjerg, said some migrants, in particular Syrians, "feel increasingly insecure".
From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026
Did my presence make her feel so insecure that she felt she had to punish me in front of the pupils to impress them?
From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
