safe
SAYF
Safe (adj) means Free from danger, harm, or risk. Example: “I felt safe as soon as I locked the door behind me.”
adj
1
Free from danger, harm, or risk.
"I felt safe as soon as I locked the door behind me."
"The children were safe inside before the storm hit."
"Is it safe to drink the tap water here?"
2
Reliable and unlikely to cause problems or be wrong.
"Choosing the familiar brand is the safe option when you don't have time to compare."
"He gave a safe answer that nobody could possibly argue with."
"It's a safe bet that prices will rise again next year."
noun
1
A strong, lockable metal box or container used to store valuables securely.
"The hotel manager locked the guests' passports in the safe behind the reception desk."
"Only two people know the combination to the safe in the office."
"She kept the jewelry and important documents in a safe bolted to the floor."
How to use safe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishProtected from danger or risk — or, for objects, a locked box for keeping things secure.
Common mistake
As slang, "safe" can also mean "cool" or "trustworthy" in some UK dialects — context makes the meaning clear.
Common pairings
safe and sound
a safe distance
play it safe
crack a safe
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Word forms
- Plural
- safes
- Third person singular
- safes
- Past tense
- safed
- Comparative
- safer, more safe
- Superlative
- safest, most safe
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I felt _____ as soon as I locked the door behind me.
Etymology
From Old French sauf, from Latin salvus ("whole, unharmed") — the same root that gives us "salvage" and "save."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for safe
See all rhymes for safe →Frequently asked questions
What does “safe” mean?
The word “safe” means free from danger, harm, or risk. In plain terms, protected from danger or risk — or, for objects, a locked box for keeping things secure.
How do you pronounce “safe”?
“Safe” is pronounced SAYF (/ˈseɪ̯f/ in IPA).
How do you use “safe” in a sentence?
Here is “safe” used in a sentence: “The children were safe inside before the storm hit.”
What is another word for “safe”?
Words with a similar meaning to “safe” include guarded, invulnerable, OK, out of harm's way, protected and safe and sound.
What is the opposite of “safe”?
The opposite of “safe” — its antonyms — are unsafe, dangerous and hazardous.
What part of speech is “safe”?
Depending on how it is used, “safe” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “safe” come from?
The word “safe” comes from Latin. From Old French sauf, from Latin salvus ("whole, unharmed") — the same root that gives us "salvage" and "save.".
Is “safe” a common word?
“Safe” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between safe and secure?
Safe means free from danger or harm right now, while secure means protected against future threats or firmly fixed in place. A child asleep at home is safe; a locked door keeps the house secure. The two overlap, but 'secure' stresses protection and stability, 'safe' stresses the absence of harm.
What is the opposite of safe?
The main opposites are 'dangerous', 'unsafe', 'risky', and 'hazardous', all describing exposure to possible harm. 'Unsafe' is the plain negative, while 'dangerous' and 'hazardous' stress a real threat, and 'risky' suggests an uncertain, chancy outcome. Each is the reverse of being free from danger.
What does 'better safe than sorry' mean?
This common saying advises taking sensible precautions now to avoid regret later. It is wiser to act carefully and prevent harm than to be careless and suffer the consequences. The phrase encourages caution, suggesting that a little extra effort to stay safe is worth avoiding a much bigger problem.
Can 'safe' describe a person or only a situation?
It can describe both. A person is safe when they are out of danger, as in 'the passengers are safe'. Situations, places, and things can also be safe, meaning they carry little risk, such as a safe neighbourhood or a safe investment. The core idea of freedom from harm stays the same.
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