noun

safe haven

sayf HAY-vuhn

Safe haven (noun) means a place where someone threatened, frightened or persecuted can go and be protected from harm. Example: “The shelter offers a safe haven for women leaving violent partners.”

noun

A place where someone threatened, frightened or persecuted can go and be protected from harm.

"The shelter offers a safe haven for women leaving violent partners."

"The city became a safe haven for refugees crossing the border."

finance An investment expected to hold or gain value when markets fall, such as gold, government bonds or a strong currency.

"Investors piled into gold as a safe haven after the crash."

"The franc has long been treated as a safe haven currency."

US, legal Under safe haven laws in the United States, a designated place such as a hospital or fire station where a parent may legally surrender a newborn baby anonymously.

"The baby was left at a fire station under the state's safe haven law."

How to Use Safe haven

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomewhere you can go to be safe.

When to use it

Neutral; equally at home in humanitarian, legal and financial writing.

Easily confused with

sanctuary → asylum → shelter →

Common pairings

provide a safe haven safe haven for refugees safe haven asset

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The shelter offers a _____ for women leaving violent partners.

Synonyms

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refuge sanctuary shelter asylum bolt-hole defensive asset store of value

Antonyms

risk asset

Related Words

security church safety protect protection housing lee temple

Rhymes for safe haven

raven haven heaven shaven craven

See all rhymes for safe haven →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a safe haven and a sanctuary?

A safe haven is defined by the protection it gives from a specific threat, and can be temporary. Sanctuary carries an older sense of a protected, often sacred or legally recognised place, and suggests the pursuer cannot follow you in.

Why is gold called a safe haven?

Because it is not tied to any one government or company's fortunes, so investors buy it when shares and currencies look shaky. The label describes expected behaviour in a crisis, not a guarantee, and safe haven assets can still lose value.

Is safe haven one word or two?

Two words in normal use. As a modifier before a noun it is often hyphenated: a safe-haven currency.

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