insecure

adjective

in·​se·​cure ˌin-si-ˈkyu̇r 

1

a

: deficient in assurance : beset by fear and anxiety

always felt insecure in a group of strangers

b

: not highly stable or well-adjusted

an insecure marriage

2

: not confident or sure : uncertain

feeling somewhat insecure of his reception

3

: not adequately guarded or sustained : unsafe

an insecure investment

4

: not firmly fastened or fixed : shaky

the hinge is loose and insecure

5

: unable to reliably afford or access what is needed to meet one's basic needs

families that are housing insecure [=that are at risk of losing their housing]

see also food insecure

insecurely adverb

insecureness noun

Word Icons

Synonyms of insecure

• loose
• loosened
• unsecured
• slack
• detached
• relaxed
• lax

Examples of insecure in a Sentence

I feel shy and insecure around strangers.

One of the building's rear doors was insecure.

The country's borders remain insecure.

Recent Examples on the Web

Joe accuses Nathan of being insecure; Nathan throws the accusation back. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026

Someone with aura is confident, cool, collected, and suave; someone without aura is insecure, cringey, or generally uncool. — Stephanie Kasulka, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026

Your more shadowy tendencies are liable to pop out around this time, particularly the ones that stem from an insecure attachment style. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026

So, an insecure connected device can become useful to an attacker even when the attacker has little interest in its owner. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin insecurus, from Latin in- + securus secure

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing insecure

• food insecure

Kids Definition

insecure

adjective

in·​se·​cure ˌin(t)-si-ˈkyu̇(ə)r 

1

: not confident or sure : uncertain

felt insecure about their response

2

: not well protected : not safe

insecure property

3

: not firmly fastened : loose

an insecure hinge

4

: lacking self-assurance

insecure people

insecurely adverb

insecurity

-ˈkyu̇r-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

insecure

adjective

in·​se·​cure ˌin(t)-si-ˈkyu̇(ə)r 

: characterized by or causing emotional insecurity

an insecure childhood

Legal Definition

insecure

adjective

in·​se·​cure

: having a good faith belief that the prospect of receiving payment or performance from a party with whom one has contracted is impaired

insecurity noun