safely
SAYF-lee
Safely (adv) means Without risk of harm or danger. Example: “The children crossed the road safely with the help of the lollipop lady.”
adv
1
Without risk of harm or danger.
"The children crossed the road safely with the help of the lollipop lady."
"The plane landed safely despite the storm."
"Please drive safely on the icy roads."
How to use safely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn a way that avoids danger or risk.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more safely, safelier
- Superlative
- most safely, safeliest
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Can you complete this real example?
The children crossed the road _____ with the help of the lollipop lady.
Etymology
From Middle English savely, built from safe + the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for safely
See all rhymes for safely →Frequently asked questions
What does “safely” mean?
The word “safely” means without risk of harm or danger. In plain terms, in a way that avoids danger or risk.
How do you pronounce “safely”?
“Safely” is pronounced SAYF-lee (/ˈseɪfli/ in IPA).
How do you use “safely” in a sentence?
Here is “safely” used in a sentence: “The plane landed safely despite the storm.”
What part of speech is “safely”?
“Safely” is an adverb.
Where does the word “safely” come from?
The word “safely” comes from Middle English. From Middle English savely, built from safe + the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Is “safely” a common word?
“Safely” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between safely and securely?
Safely means without risk of harm or danger, focusing on avoiding injury, while securely means firmly fixed or well protected against loss, theft, or failure. You drive safely, but you lock a door securely.
What is the difference between 'safely' and 'safe'?
'Safe' is an adjective describing a noun, as in 'a safe journey', while 'safely' is the adverb describing how something is done, as in 'they travelled safely'. In fixed phrases like 'safe and sound', 'safe' is used idiomatically.
Where does the adverb 'safely' go in a sentence?
Safely usually follows the verb or comes at the end of the clause it modifies, as in 'they arrived safely' or 'handle it safely'. It describes how an action is carried out, without risk of harm.
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