safe
adjective · noun · verb
Simple meaning
Not in danger.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
sayfIPA pronunciation (US)
ˈseɪf
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
adjective
Not in danger; out of harm's reach.
Free from danger or the risk of harm
Providing protection from danger; providing shelter.
Properly secured.
Reliable; trusty.
Certain; sure.
noun
A box, usually made of metal, in which valuables can be locked for safekeeping.
Acronym of State Administration of Foreign Exchange.
verb
transitive
To make something safe.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- A2 · Elementary
- Frequency
- Very Common
- Typical Use
- Everyday English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: Not in danger; out of harm's reach.
Used this way, safe is a reasonably familiar word with a clearly warm, approving pull. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
- Emotional tone
- Positive
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Moderate
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Positive and appreciative
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
Sexual activity (especially sexual intercourse) with the use of measures (such as latex condoms) to avoid the transmission of disease (especially AIDS).
A document or escort providing safe passage through a region especially in time of war.
A fireproof metal strongbox (usually in a bank) for storing valuables.
A fireproof metal strongbox (usually in a bank) for storing valuables.
The target company defends itself by acquiring a company so onerously regulated that it makes the target less attractive.
A house used as a hiding place or refuge by members of certain organizations.
Related words
Connected by subject or meaning, not by word formation.
Make safe.
A curbed area in a roadway from which traffic is excluded.
A curbed area in a roadway from which traffic is excluded.
A curbed area in a roadway from which traffic is excluded.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.