safe

adjective

\ ˈsāf

safer; safest

Definition of safe

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : free from harm or risk : unhurt

2a : 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

5a : not threatening danger : harmless

b : unlikely to produce controversy or contradiction

6a : not likely to take risks : cautious

b : trustworthy, reliable

safe

noun

Definition of safe (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a place or receptacle to keep articles (such as valuables) safe

2 : condom sense 1

Other Words from safe Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about safe

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Choose the Right Synonym for safe

Adjective

safe and secure mean free from danger. safe is used of freedom from a present danger. I felt safe as soon as I crossed the street. secure is used of freedom from a possible future danger or risk. The locks on the door made us feel secure.

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 new report says rimegepant could work as a treatment for cardiovascular patients for whom triptans aren’t safe. — Maggie O'neill, Health.com, "Scientists Have Developed a Promising New Migraine Medication—Here's What You Should Know," 11 July 2019 Unable to track its precise location, the firm assumed the pricey cargo was safe inside an airport warehouse. — The Economist, "DigitisationDigitisation is helping to deliver goods faster," 11 July 2019 No amount of lead in water is safe, but the lower level in Flint represents a substantial improvement over the 27 ppb reported by the Virgina Tech Water Study at the peak of the crisis in April 2015. — Laura Pangallozzi, The Conversation, "At least 2% of US public water systems are like Flint’s – Americans just don’t hear about them," 10 July 2019 Unfortunately, like with any huge battle, there are some who sacrificed themselves to make sure that everyone else could be safe. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "Here's Everyone Who Died in "Stranger Things 3"," 9 July 2019 Here's our complete list of pools that were not safe upon the health department's first inspection. — Julia Fair, Cincinnati.com, "How clean is your Northern Kentucky pool? We checked the health reports to see," 4 July 2019 When a violent storm lashes the tiny Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal, Copper Randal barely manages a safe return to Government House. — Sangeeta Singh-kurtz, Quartzy, "Picking a “destination novel” is the secret to great summer reading," 4 July 2019 When the city got safer in the early 2000s, samba made a comeback. — Sarah Esther Maslin, 1843, "Rio is a riot in the early hours," 4 July 2019 The four scenic rails-trails discussed here offer a safe, enjoyable way to stay fit, commute and commune with nature. — Jeanine Barone, The Know, "Ride your bike on these Colorado railroad routes without fear of being run over by a train," 2 July 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Determining the origins of the safe will involve analyzing historic Chicago maps and city directories, which should provide information about possible owners, Graff said. — Eliza Fawcett, chicagotribune.com, "Mysterious cannonball safe unearthed in parking lot of Lakeview synagogue," 10 July 2019 For the many thousands of Americans who live near these wells, as well as federal regulators who are tasked with keeping the public safe, these wells are out of sight, out of mind. — Larry Buhl, The New Republic, "The Toxic-Gas Catastrophe Hiding Beneath Your Home," 8 July 2019 Right in front of the podium, a small black gun safe with #SongStrong stickers sat in an otherwise empty chair. — Lydia Gerike, courant.com, "Gov. Ned Lamont signs Ethan’s Law during ceremony in Guilford," 13 June 2019 Then bookmark the relevant document on your smartphone and to be extra-safe, bring a printout, too. — Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, "Papers, please! Don't let travel document problems ground your next vacation," 7 June 2019 Here’s how to get a lock box set up in several area cities: • The Strongsville Fire Department advises residents to purchase a key safe from the senior center or a home improvement store and then contact the department at 440-580-3225. — cleveland.com, "South side communities offer residential lock box programs," 6 June 2019 On Thursday, Caroline Ghosn entered the apartment with officers of the Brazilian court and Nissan’s lawyers to open two safes and a small lock box in the apartment. — Patricia Kowsmann, WSJ, "The Fall of the House of Ghosn," 16 Dec. 2018 Temptation was easy for banks to resist when following the letter of federal law simply meant refusing business from pot dispensaries with safes overflowing with cash. — Carol Ryan, WSJ, "Weed Versus Greed on Wall Street," 25 Jan. 2019 Jewelry and two safes containing keys and personal paperwork stolen. — Cody Boteler, baltimoresun.com, "Catonsville crime log," 11 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'safe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

16 Jul 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for safe

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

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More Definitions for safe

safe

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of safe

(Entry 1 of 2)

: not able or likely to be hurt or harmed in any way : not in danger

: not able or likely to be lost, taken away, or given away

: not involving or likely to involve danger, harm, or loss

safe

noun

English Language Learners Definition of safe (Entry 2 of 2)

: a strong metal box with a lock that is used to store money or valuable things

See the full definition for safe in the English Language Learners Dictionary

safe

adjective

\ ˈsāf

safer; safest

Kids Definition of safe

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : free or secure from harm or danger I don't feel safe here.

2 : giving protection or security against harm or danger a safe neighborhood

3 : harmless safe drinking water

4 : unlikely to be wrong or cause disagreement a safe answer

5 : not likely to take risks : careful a safe driver

6 : successful in reaching a base in baseball

safe

noun

Kids Definition of safe (Entry 2 of 2)

: a metal box with a lock that is used for keeping something (as money) safe

safe

adjective

\ ˈsāf

safer; safest

Medical Definition of safe

: 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