secure
sih-KYOOR
Secure (adj) means Protected from danger, harm, or loss. Example: “The vault is one of the most secure places in the building.”
adj
1
Protected from danger, harm, or loss.
"The vault is one of the most secure places in the building."
"She finally felt secure in her new job after the trial period ended."
"Keep your passport in a secure place while you are travelling."
2
Firmly fixed in place and unlikely to give way.
"Check that the ladder is secure before climbing it."
"Make sure the tent pegs are secure before the wind picks up."
"The shelf felt secure once we had added two extra screws."
verb
1
To make something safe from danger or loss.
"Soldiers were sent to secure the border."
"Make sure to secure your valuables before you leave."
"Please secure the gate behind you so the sheep cannot wander out."
2
To obtain or guarantee something, often after effort.
"The team managed to secure funding for next year."
"He secured a place at his first-choice university."
"She worked hard to secure an interview with the head chef."
How to use secure
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSafe, protected, or firmly fixed — or, as a verb, to make something safe or to obtain it.
Common pairings
secure a loan
secure a deal
feel secure
a secure connection
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- secures
- Past tense
- secured
- Comparative
- securer, more secure
- Superlative
- securest, most secure
- Archaic forms
- securest, securedst, secureth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The vault is one of the most _____ places in the building.
Etymology
From Latin securus, "free from care," from se- ("without") + cura ("care") — literally "careless" in the old sense of untroubled. The same root gives us "cure" and "sure."
Synonyms
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safe
protected
guarded
shielded
safeguarded
sheltered
defended
out of harm's way
dependable
good
impregnable
inviolable
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for secure
See all rhymes for secure →Frequently asked questions
What does “secure” mean?
The word “secure” means protected from danger, harm, or loss. In plain terms, safe, protected, or firmly fixed — or, as a verb, to make something safe or to obtain it.
How do you pronounce “secure”?
“Secure” is pronounced sih-KYOOR (/səˈkjʊɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “secure” in a sentence?
Here is “secure” used in a sentence: “The vault is one of the most secure places in the building.”
What is the opposite of “secure”?
The opposite of “secure” — its antonyms — is insecure.
What part of speech is “secure”?
Depending on how it is used, “secure” can be an adjective and a verb.
Where does the word “secure” come from?
The word “secure” comes from Latin. From Latin securus, "free from care," from se- ("without") + cura ("care") — literally "careless" in the old sense of untroubled. The same root gives us "cure" and "sure.".
Is “secure” a common word?
“Secure” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “secure” have?
“Secure” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: protected from danger, harm, or loss.
What is the difference between secure and safe?
The two overlap, but secure stresses active protection — locks, defences or safeguards that keep danger out. Safe stresses the resulting state of being free from harm. A door can be secure because it is bolted, which then makes the house safe. In short, security is often the means, and safety the outcome.
What is the opposite of secure?
The main opposites are insecure, vulnerable and exposed. Something that is not protected from danger, harm or loss can be described as unsafe, unguarded or at risk. Where secure suggests firm protection, its antonyms suggest weakness or openness to threat — a vulnerable border, an exposed position, or an insecure lock.
Can anything be completely secure?
In practice, few things are ever perfectly secure. Security experts tend to talk about reducing risk rather than removing it entirely, since new threats constantly emerge. A system, home or account can be made highly secure through layered protection, but 'completely secure' is usually a goal to aim for rather than a guarantee.
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