safely
Americanadverb
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without harm or injury.
The travel team has arrived safely and on schedule.
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without risk or danger.
While we sit safely in our air-conditioned homes complaining, he’s driving across the country working for change.
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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.
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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
Etymology
Origin of safely
Explanation
Do something in a careful or cautious way, and you'll do it safely. The most important thing you'll learn in a drivers ed class is to drive safely. "Travel safely!" you might call to a departing friend. You're encouraging them to avoid danger as they make their way home. You can bike safely by wearing a helmet and using hand signals, and use power tools safely by following all the rules and focusing on your work. Safely comes from safe and its Latin root salvus, "uninjured or in good health."
Vocabulary lists containing safely
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.
For many young riders, Scheafer said, it just takes a brief encounter with police to strap on the missing helmet, or share the path more safely with pedestrians and other bicyclists.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 27, 2026
Redcar MP Anna Turley said people should avoid the area and "give crews the space they need to respond safely".
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
If the market can safely negotiate this week’s three major clearing events, the S&P 500 benchmark should rally toward the 7,900 to 8,000 level, one closely followed strategist says.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 26, 2026
It meets regularly with Cava insiders to advise on topics such as how to safely add seafood to the menu, which is an allergen for some, Tolivar said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026
But the player hesitated a moment too long before throwing the ball to Joe, and the Jupiter batter made it to the base safely.
From "The Missing Mitt (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #2)" by Franklin W. Dixon
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.
