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

Janet’s mother, Marilyn, was deeply insecure about having never finished college herself, and—newly flush with cash—offered to pay for four years of her children’s higher education (which cost, on average, $740 in the late 1970s). —Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026

The plight of food-insecure residents in the state became more visible in the fall when a 43-day shutdown of the federal government caused a pause in federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits to the hungry. —Kitan Arole, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2026

By describing our natural condition as fearful, insecure, and frankly pretty terrifying—an existence of constantly watching your back—Hobbes was diagnosing a problem. —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2026

Even in the lighter, comedic moments, there’s someone deeply insecure underneath the surface. —Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Jan. 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