save
sayv
Save (verb) means to rescue someone or something from harm or danger. Example: “The lifeguard saved the swimmer from drowning.”
verb
1
To rescue someone or something from harm or danger.
"The lifeguard saved the swimmer from drowning."
"Quick thinking saved the company from bankruptcy."
"The firefighters saved the family's cat from the burning house."
2
To set aside money or resources for future use.
"She saves ten percent of every paycheck."
"We're saving up for a holiday next year."
"He saves coins in a jar to buy a bicycle."
3
To store a computer file or data so it isn't lost.
"Remember to save your work before closing the laptop."
"The program will save your document automatically every five minutes."
"Did you save the spreadsheet, or has the whole thing disappeared?"
4
In sport, to stop an opponent from scoring, especially in goalkeeping.
"The goalkeeper made a stunning save in the final minute."
"She dived to her left to save the penalty."
"He saved two shots in a row and the crowd cheered loudly."
noun
1
An act of preventing a goal or a loss, or the stored version of something.
"The goalkeeper made a brilliant save in the final minute."
"Make a backup of your save before you try the new game level."
"That save kept the team in the match."
prep
1
Except for; other than (formal or literary).
"All the seats were filled, save one at the back."
"Everyone arrived on time, save for Tom, who missed his train."
"The garden was quiet, save for the sound of birds in the trees."
How to use save
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo rescue, protect, set aside for later, or store — depending on context.
Common pairings
save money
save a life
save the file
make a save
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Word forms
- Plural
- saves
- Third person singular
- saves
- Past tense
- saved
- Archaic forms
- savest, savedst, saveth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The lifeguard _____ the swimmer from drowning.
Etymology
From Old French sauver, from Late Latin salvāre, "to save," related to Latin salvus, "safe."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for save
See all rhymes for save →Frequently asked questions
What does “save” mean?
The word “save” means to rescue someone or something from harm or danger. In plain terms, to rescue, protect, set aside for later, or store — depending on context.
How do you pronounce “save”?
“Save” is pronounced sayv (/seɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “save” in a sentence?
Here is “save” used in a sentence: “The lifeguard saved the swimmer from drowning.”
What part of speech is “save”?
Depending on how it is used, “save” can be a verb, a noun and a preposition.
Where does the word “save” come from?
The word “save” comes from Late Latin. From Old French sauver, from Late Latin salvāre, "to save," related to Latin salvus, "safe.".
Is “save” a common word?
“Save” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “save” have?
“Save” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to rescue someone or something from harm or danger.
What is the difference between save and rescue?
The two overlap, but rescue almost always means physically freeing someone from immediate danger, as in a rescue from a fire or flood. Save is broader: you can save a life, save money, or save a file. In the danger sense they are close synonyms, though rescue feels more urgent and hands-on.
What are the different meanings of save?
Besides rescuing from harm, save has several everyday senses: to set money aside for later, to store computer data, to keep something for future use, and in sport, to stop a goal or point. All share the idea of preserving something, a life, money, data, or a score, from being lost.
What is the opposite of save?
It depends on the sense. When save means to rescue, its opposite is to endanger, abandon, or lose. When it means to keep money, the opposite is to spend or waste. The common thread is that saving preserves something, while its opposites risk it or use it up.
What is an example of using save?
In the rescue sense: "The lifeguard saved a swimmer caught in the current." Other senses include "She saves fifty pounds a month," "Remember to save your document," and "The goalkeeper saved the penalty." Each one keeps something, a life, money, work, or a goal, from being lost.
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