insecure
Americanadjective
-
subject to fears, doubts, etc.; not self-confident or assured.
an insecure person.
-
not confident or certain; uneasy; anxious.
He was insecure about the examination.
-
not secure; exposed or liable to risk, loss, or danger.
an insecure stock portfolio.
- Synonyms:
- risky
-
not firmly or reliably placed or fastened.
an insecure ladder.
adjective
-
anxious or afraid; not confident or certain
-
not adequately protected
an insecure fortress
-
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
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
In the Mood? 100 Words to Describe Emotions
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
in-
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Uh-Oh: Synonyms for "Dangerous"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
It points to three main factors driving a rise: rising living costs, debt and insecure work.
From BBC • May 4, 2026
Finding “cross functional synergies” was, I always thought, the refuge of the insecure, a linguistic escape hatch to avoid responsibility.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026
She may even be feeling insecure in the relationship.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026
It is designed to weed out the insecure and trigger-happy, the reckless hotheads with something to prove.
From Slate • Apr. 13, 2026
Is it my insecure imagination or does Saint Sarah’s mom have a look of disbelief on her face?
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
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.
