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.
Synonym Usage
See uncertain.
Other Word Forms
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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in-
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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.
As Aithra, Jana McIntyre’s bright soprano was insecure in the coloratura passages and grew harsh as the evening progressed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
The cheater is just as insecure, if not more, than the person who’s scared to get cheated on.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
Establishing eligibility based on Medicaid coverage means that many financially insecure households may be excluded.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 23, 2026
Coexisting with the amazing athletic skill, physical intelligence and grit, there was a type of insecure performative patriotic hypermasculinity.
From Salon ● Jun. 17, 2026
But we had some new dogs and some of them were aggressive and insecure and wanted to fight all the time.
From "Woodsong" by Gary Paulsen
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.
