secure

1 of 2

adjective

se·​cure si-ˈkyu̇r 

-ˈkyər

securer; securest

1

a

: free from danger

b

: affording safety

a secure hideaway

c

: trustworthy, dependable

a secure foundation

d

: free from risk of loss

2

a

: easy in mind : confident

b

: assured in opinion or expectation : having no doubt

c

archaic : unwisely free from fear or distrust : overconfident

3

: assured sense 1

a secure victory

4

: able to reliably afford or access what is needed to meet one's basic needs

However, students who are housing secure may also differ in their consciousness development as compared to students who have experienced housing insecurity.

—Mariah Kornbluh et al.

securely adverb

secureness noun

see also food secure

secure

2 of 2

verb

secured; securing

transitive verb

1

a

: to relieve from exposure to danger : act to make safe against adverse contingencies

secure a supply line from enemy raids

b

: to put beyond hazard of losing or of not receiving : guarantee

secure the blessings of liberty

—U.S. Constitution

c

: to give pledge of payment to (a creditor) or of (an obligation)

secure a note by a pledge of collateral

2

a

: to make fast

secure a door

secure a bike to a tree

b

: to take (a person) into custody : hold fast : pinion

3

a

: to get secure usually lasting possession or control of

secure a job

b

: bring about, effect

4

: to release (naval personnel) from work or duty

intransitive verb

1

of naval personnel : to stop work : go off duty

2

of a ship : to tie up : berth

securer noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• assured
• confident
• self-asserting
• self-assured
• self-confident

Verb

• bulwark
• cover
• defend
• fence
• fend
• forfend
• guard
• keep
• protect
• safeguard
• screen
• shield
• ward

Choose the Right Synonym for secure

ensure, insure, assure, secure mean to make a thing or person sure.

ensure, insure, and assure are interchangeable in many contexts where they indicate the making certain or inevitable of an outcome, but ensure may imply a virtual guarantee

the government has ensured the safety of the refugees

, while insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand

careful planning should insure the success of the party

, and assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind.

I assure you that no harm will be done

secure implies action taken to guard against attack or loss.

sent reinforcements to secure their position

Examples of secure in a Sentence

Adjective

We need to make our network more secure against attacks by hackers.

The children were safe and secure in their beds.

A safe is provided to keep your valuables secure from potential thieves.

You should store your valuables in a secure place.

How secure is your front door?

You are now entering a secure area.

I'm feeling secure about my place in the company.

The company has established a secure foothold in the market.

He believes his job is secure.

They didn't begin to celebrate until they knew their victory was secure.

Verb

We must secure the country's borders.

Secure your belongings under the seat.

secure a child safety seat

The seat is secured to the base by three screws.

She scored a goal to secure the team's victory.

She secured the zoo's future with a handsome bequest.

He secured a loan using his house as collateral.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Judge Beverly Cannone granted the defense access to a copy of surveillance video from the Canton Police Department's sally port – a secure area for vehicles – from Jan. 29, 2022, the day O'Keefe was found dead on the front lawn of fellow Boston cop Brian Albert. —Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 18 Apr. 2025

Psychologist Leah Kaylor recommends choosing a secure, low-traffic area and says corners near airport chapels or family lounges may be a quieter spots than others. —Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 18 Apr. 2025

Verb

Ricketts cited the priority that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has placed on helping the Asia-Pacific secure itself against China. —Arkansas Online, 19 Apr. 2025

The company has already secured investment from Peter Thiel, The Chainsmokers, and Insight Partners. —Ethan Stone, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin securus safe, secure, from se without + cura care — more at suicide

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1545, in the meaning defined at sense 2c

Verb

1588, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing secure

• be secure in the belief/knowledge
• financially secure
• food secure
• safe/secure in the knowledge

Rhymes for secure

• abjure
• adjure
• allure
• assure
• brochure
• cocksure
• coiffure
• contour
• couture
• demure
• detour
• endure

Kids Definition

secure

1 of 2 adjective

se·​cure si-ˈkyu̇(ə)r 

securer; securest

1

: easy in mind : confident

secure in the knowledge that help was near

2

a

: providing safety : safe

a secure hideaway

is secure against attack

b

: trustworthy, dependable

secure foundation

3

: sure entry 1 sense 5a, certain

victory is secure

securely adverb

secure

2 of 2 verb

secured; securing

1

a

: to make safe : guard, shield

secure a supply line from enemy raids

b

: to assure payment of

2

a

: to take into custody

secure a prisoner

b

: to fasten tightly

secure a door

3

: to acquire as the result of effort

secure employment

Etymology

Adjective

from Latin securus "safe, secure," literally, "without care," from se "without" and cura "care" — related to cure, sure see Word History at cure

Legal Definition

secure

transitive verb

se·​cure

secured; securing

1

: to put beyond hazard of losing or not receiving

secure the blessings of liberty

—U.S. Constitution preamble

2

a

: to protect or make certain (as by lien)

make a just and equitable partition and secure the parties' respective interests

—Denton v. Lazenby, 879 P.2d 607 (1994)

b

: to give security for (as a loan) or otherwise assure the payment, performance, or execution of with security

the court imposed a lien on his property to secure the judgment

c

: to give or pledge security to (as a creditor)

broadly : to cause to have security or a security interest

a creditor secured by a lien on real property