safer; safest
1
: free from harm or risk : unhurt
2
a
: secure from threat of danger, harm, or loss
b
: successful at getting to a base in baseball without being put out
3
: affording safety or security from danger, risk, or difficulty
5
a
: not threatening danger : harmless
b
: unlikely to produce controversy or contradiction
6
a
: not likely to take risks : cautious
b
safe
adverb
or safely
safeness
noun
Usage of Safe
Both "drive safe" and "drive safely" are acceptable. Flat adverbs, as adverbs without -ly are called, are common in English; examples include soon in "see you soon" and fast in "time goes so fast." Adverbial safe functions in the same way these do.
1
: a place or receptacle to keep articles (such as valuables) safe
2
Examples of safe in a Sentence
Adjective
I don't feel safe in this neighborhood.
The kids were safe in the cabin.
We need to make sure that the children are safe and sound.
“Is the money safe?” “Yes, it's in the bank.”
a world made safe from war
Is it safe to walk here?
He wished us a safe trip.
I found a safe place to take shelter from the storm.
They live in a perfectly safe neighborhood.
We watched the fireworks from a safe distance.
Noun
the hotel recommended that we keep all our valuables in its safe during our stay
Recent Examples on the Web
Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Other federal programs that monitor and research safe sleep have also been cut, and as Adcock explains, these losses could not come at a worse time.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 4 Nov. 2025
Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025
Wondering how to separate the sketchy from the safe?
—Kat Boogaard, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for safe
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
To keep her safe Hekate’s mother leaves her in the underworld with the goddess Styx and Hades.
—Amber McBride, Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2025
Other federal programs that monitor and research safe sleep have also been cut, and as Adcock explains, these losses could not come at a worse time.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
The creative sees today’s clients through a modern lens, using pieces from the day-to-day rather than those kept in a safe.
—Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 11 Oct. 2025
Wondering how to separate the sketchy from the safe?
—Kat Boogaard, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for safe
Cite this Entry
“Safe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safe. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
safe
1 of 2 adjective
safer; safest
1
: freed or secure from danger, harm, or loss
2
: successful at getting to a base in baseball without being put out
the runner was safe
3
: providing safety
4
: not threatening danger
safe medicine
5
a
: cautious
a safe driver
b
safely
adverb
safeness
noun
safe
2 of 2 noun
: a container to keep articles (as valuables) safe
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English sauf "safe, unhurt," from early French sauf (same meaning), from Latin salvus "safe, healthy" — related to sage entry 3, save
Medical Definition
safe
adjective
safer; safest
: not causing harm or injury
especially
: having a low incidence of adverse reactions and significant side effects when adequate instructions for use are given and having a low potential for harm under conditions of widespread availability
a list of drugs generally regarded as safe
safe use in pregnancy has not been established —Emergency Medicine
Emergency Medicine Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share