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

The reversal comes amid economic uncertainties making workers feel insecure about their financial footing and their futures, analysts said. — Medora Lee, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

At one presentation, two researchers from Kumio revealed that 39 parental monitoring apps—serving more than 36 million children—were storing sensitive data on a single, insecure server. — Kim Key, PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2026

With the entire industry struggling to address these new threats to commerce, the United States can step in, show the way, and push ocean shippers to acknowledge the new reality of a far more insecure ocean. — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

The best new face is Nat Faxon as the station’s insecure captain. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 7 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