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
Words Nearby safe
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use safe in a sentence
You only need live attenuated viruses when you don’t have a safer one.
Synthetic biologists have created a slow-growing version of the coronavirus to give as a vaccine | David Rotman | September 16, 2020 | MIT Technology ReviewStephan would like the public to think that injunctions are keeping our communities safe from the most violent gang-members.
While We’re Rethinking Policing, It’s Time to End Gang Injunctions | Jamie Wilson | September 15, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoThe Mission Valley aquifer doesn’t produce a ton of water, but what is there is safe from potential earthquakes and sea water seeping in as a result of climate change.
Morning Report: San Diego Is Ignoring an Untapped Water Source | Voice of San Diego | September 15, 2020 | Voice of San DiegoIt begins when even places like California’s suburbs are no longer safe.
Climate Change Will Force a New American Migration | by Abrahm Lustgarten, photography by Meridith Kohut | September 15, 2020 | ProPublicaThis approach may take longer but will be much more safer and effective long-term.
Partial match domains in 2020: How to optimize and use effectively | Tudor Lodge Consultants | September 14, 2020 | Search Engine Watch
And it must make sure that the platform of debate where we can freely exchange ideas is safe and sound.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive | Ayaan Hirsi Ali | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTThey called for peace, reconciliation, and the safe return of Father Gregorio.
Their leader, Njie, still going by “Dave” during the operation, would stay a safe distance away until the State House was secure.
The Shadowy U.S. Veteran Who Tried to Overthrow a Country | Jacob Siegel | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST“We wish each and every one of you a happy and safe new year,” Giorgio said at the very end.
There was Carol White, a ho-hum homemaker who finds herself besieged by multiple chemical sensitivity in safe.
A desultory conversation on politics, in which neither took the slightest interest, was a safe neutral ground.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsThe governor of the fortress was provided with a safe residence in Egypt, and an annual pension of 75,000 piasters.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology | Joel MunsellCould this be the safe old house in which childish days had passed, in which all around were always friendly and familiar faces?
Checkmate | Joseph Sheridan Le FanuThe truth is, it is not safe to trot down such mountains and hardly to ride down them at all.
Glances at Europe | Horace GreeleyWhat reliance could repose upon a house, divided against itself—not safe from the extravagance and pillage of its own members?
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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