safely

[seyf-lee]

adverb

1. without harm or injury.

   The travel team has arrived safely and on schedule.

2. without risk or danger.

   While we sit safely in our air-conditioned homes complaining, he’s driving across the country working for change.

3. in a way that protects from loss, damage, or harm.

   I wanted that piece of paper safely filed away, just in case I needed to look at it again.

4. without likelihood of being wrong; with reasonable assurance.

   I think we can safely say that the zoo expects some puma kittens later this year!

Other Word Forms

• quasi-safely adverb
• supersafely adverb
• unsafely adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of safely¹

safe + -ly

Example Sentences

A representative for the Osefos said Friday that they are “back home safely with their family and in good spirits.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Yet despite playing in discomfort during the playoffs, he’s hit safely in four of the five games in which he’s appeared.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The scene was dropped in the final edit due to time constraints, ultimately leaving the secret safely tucked away with Bryn, Jason… and Dave Coaches.

Read more on BBC

These metalworking cobots are part of a broader trend in robotics: Specialized robots that use sensors to safely navigate human environments.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This came despite the men’s relay team’s continual struggles to safely pass the baton in several previous Games.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• carefully 
• cautiously 
• harmlessly www.thesaurus.com