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.
adverb
Informal. in a safe manner; safely: Learn how to drive safe.See Grammar note at adverb.
noun
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.
template (def. 7).
Slang. a condom.
Idioms for safe
play it safe, play (def. 85).
Origin of safe
1250–1300; (adjective) Middle English sauf, saf from Anglo-French saf, Old French sauf from Latin salvus “intact, whole”; (noun) late Middle English save, originally derivative of save1, assimilated to the adjective; cf. salvation
SYNONYMS FOR safe
1 protected, invulnerable, guarded.
4 sure, reliable.
5 wary, careful.
9 strongbox, coffer, chest, safe-deposit box.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR safe ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for safe
1. Safe,secure can both imply that something can be regarded as free from danger. These words are frequently interchangeable. Safe, however, is applied rather to a person or thing that is out of or has passed beyond the reach of danger: The ship is safe in port.Secure is applied to that about which there is no need to fear or worry: to feel secure about the future; The foundation of the house does not seem very secure.
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 Review
Stephan 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 Diego
The 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 Diego
It 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|ProPublica
This 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|DAILY BEAST
They called for peace, reconciliation, and the safe return of Father Gregorio.
Mexico’s Priests Are Marked for Murder|Jason McGahan|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
“We wish each and every one of you a happy and safe new year,” Giorgio said at the very end.
Cop Families Boo De Blasio at NYPD Graduation|Michael Daly|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The two parties—mother and son, and monster—live in the same house, and are safe and healthy.
Grief: The Real Monster in The Babadook|Tim Teeman|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She will be safe when she reaches there, which will be in a few minutes now.
Medoline Selwyn's Work|Mrs. J. J. Colter
The pocket in the hills in which they lay was surely a safe and comfortable place, and one need be in no hurry to abandon it.
The Great Sioux Trail|Joseph Altsheler
In her extremity she saw the mouth of the alley, dodged in, and was safe.
The Battle with the Slum|Jacob A. Riis.
They thought it much pleasanter than the bottom of the pond, but it was not so safe.
Among the Pond People|Clara Dillingham Pierson
But Mr Nearthewinde is a safe man, and easy to be employed with but little danger.
Doctor Thorne|Anthony Trollope
British Dictionary definitions for safe
safe
/ (seɪf) /
adjective
affording security or protection from harma safe place
(postpositive)free from dangeryou'll be safe here
secure from risk; certain; sounda safe investment; a safe bet
worthy of trust; prudenta safe companion
tending to avoid controversy or riska safe player
unable to do harm; not dangerousa criminal safe behind bars; water safe to drink
Britishinformalexcellent
on the safe sideas a precaution
adverb
in a safe conditionthe children are safe in bed now
play safeto act in a way least likely to cause danger, controversy, or defeat
noun
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
Derived forms of safe
safely, adverbsafeness, noun
Word Origin for safe
C13: from Old French salf, from Latin salvus; related to Latin salus safety