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
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
Many were told by their supervisors that their exposure to the slurry was safe, and were denied access to protective gear. The New Yorker, 2 Dec. 2024 Ask your healthcare provider if taking pain medicine before the test is safe. Jennifer Welsh Published, Verywell Health, 2 Dec. 2024
Noun
At least two original full-sized safes are on the showroom floor with the Bowman name. Anthony Demarco, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 The workshop, hosted on a range about 90 miles outside the city, included an hourlong instructional course with interactive portions on proper gun locks and safes, safety gear and de-escalation tactics. Maya Eaglin, NBC News, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for safe 

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 8 Dec. 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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