adj B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

unsafe

uhn-SAYF

Unsafe (adj) means Likely to cause harm or injury; not safe. Example: “The old bridge was declared unsafe for vehicles.”

adj

Likely to cause harm or injury; not safe.

"The old bridge was declared unsafe for vehicles."

"Walking alone at night felt unsafe in that neighbourhood."

How to use unsafe

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDangerous or risky, whether describing a place, activity, or feeling.

Common pairings

unsafe conditions declared unsafe feel unsafe

Word forms

more unsafe comparative, unsafer comparative, unsafed past tense, unsafes singular, most unsafe superlative, unsafest superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The old bridge was declared _____ for vehicles.

Etymology

From un- ("not") plus safe.

Synonyms

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hazardous risky perilous precarious insecure

Related words

safe dangerous secure pray loose threatened toxic unstable

Rhymes for unsafe

safe Rafe

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Frequently asked questions

What does “unsafe” mean?

The word “unsafe” means likely to cause harm or injury; not safe. In plain terms, dangerous or risky, whether describing a place, activity, or feeling.

How do you pronounce “unsafe”?

“Unsafe” is pronounced uhn-SAYF (/ʌnˈseɪf/ in IPA).

How do you use “unsafe” in a sentence?

Here is “unsafe” used in a sentence: “The old bridge was declared unsafe for vehicles.”

What part of speech is “unsafe”?

“Unsafe” is an adjective.

Is “unsafe” a common word?

“Unsafe” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

What is the difference between unsafe and dangerous?

Unsafe describes a condition or situation that is likely to cause harm, often due to a lack of proper precautions, such as unsafe wiring or an unsafe building. Dangerous is broader and can describe inherent risk in something, such as a dangerous animal, regardless of whether precautions are missing.

Can unsafe describe behavior as well as objects or places?

Yes, unsafe can describe physical conditions like unsafe roads or structures, as well as behavior, such as unsafe driving or unsafe practices, whenever the action is likely to cause harm or injury.

What is a common phrase using unsafe in workplace contexts?

A common phrase is 'unsafe working conditions,' referring to an environment where hazards are likely to cause injury to employees. This phrase is frequently used in health and safety regulations and reporting.

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