safe

1 of 2

adjective

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
4
obsolete, of mental or moral faculties : healthy, sound
5
a
: not threatening danger : harmless
b
: unlikely to produce controversy or contradiction
6
a
: not likely to take risks : cautious
safe adverb
or safely
safeness noun

safe

2 of 2

noun

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
Adjective
The 27-nation bloc is flexing new regulatory powers acquired under the Digital Services Act, a sweeping set of regulations that took effect last year with the aim of cleaning up big online platforms and keeping users safe, under threat of hefty fines. Kelvin Chan, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 As adoption of generative AI races ahead, his job as National Coordinator for Health Information Technology under President Joe Biden is to manage this change, and keep it safe and organized. Casey Ross, STAT, 14 Mar. 2024 This coat features a detachable hood with snaps to keep active kids safe. Maya Polton, Parents, 14 Mar. 2024 Kai feels much safer, but the adjustment hasn’t been easy. Seyward Darby, Longreads, 13 Mar. 2024 Testing after the fact revealed that the majority of the glasses, including from the Chinese manufacturers, seem to be safe. USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024 Both groups had significant side effects from their treatment, including brain swelling, fevers and headaches. O’Rourke says researchers are going to have to figure out how to make this safer and easier for patients, maybe by trying to treat some of them earlier in the course of their disease. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 To keep employees safe, companies should consider moving to locations that have a lower cost of living, less taxes and decreased crime rates. Jack Kelly, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Our freedom to live in a healthy and safe environment is under attack. Sue Kempf, Orange County Register, 2 Mar. 2024
Noun
More than 120,000 safes — including three gun safes designed for secure firearm storage — got recalled Thursday because their biometric locks might not limit access to the person with the right fingerprint. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 No injuries were reported in the latest recalls, which follow the October recall of 61,000 Fortress safes for the same reason, that the safes can allow unauthorized users, including children, to access them and their potentially deadly contents. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2024 Security cameras recorded a man stealing items such as registers and safes. Cameron MacDonald, The Mercury News, 8 Feb. 2024 How many reports of the problem: One report of the gun safe opened by someone who wasn’t supposed to be able to get into the safe. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 The company has received reports of 71 incidents of the safes being opened by unauthoized users, the recall notice said. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 22 Feb. 2024 Five safes containing at least seven firearms were stolen, along with a four-wheeler and other valuables. Molly Langmuir, Rolling Stone, 2 Feb. 2024 Nutsy), who Martin believes stole a fortune of diamonds from his safe. Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 9 Aug. 2023 The safes can be locked onto the back of a beach chair. Nancy Dahlberg, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'safe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English sauf, from Anglo-French salf, sauf, from Latin salvus safe, healthy; akin to Latin solidus solid, Greek holos whole, safe, Sanskrit sarva entire

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of safe was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near safe

Cite this Entry

“Safe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safe. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids 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
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
safety noun
plural safeties

More from Merriam-Webster on safe

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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