insecure

adjective

in·​se·​cure ˌin-si-ˈkyu̇r 

1

a

: deficient in assurance : beset by fear and anxiety

always felt insecure in a group of strangers

b

: not highly stable or well-adjusted

an insecure marriage

2

: not confident or sure : uncertain

feeling somewhat insecure of his reception

3

: not adequately guarded or sustained : unsafe

an insecure investment

4

: not firmly fastened or fixed : shaky

the hinge is loose and insecure

5

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

families that are housing insecure [=that are at risk of losing their housing]

see also food insecure

insecurely adverb

insecureness noun

Word Icons

Synonyms

• loose
• loosened
• unsecured
• slack
• detached
• relaxed
• lax

Examples of insecure in a Sentence

I feel shy and insecure around strangers.

One of the building's rear doors was insecure.

The country's borders remain insecure.

Recent Examples on the Web

Simon the insecure sorcerer (Justice Smith), Doric the shapeshifting druid (Sophia Lillis) and Xenk the noble paladin (Regé-Jean Page), who all band together to navigate deadly traps, fight powerful enemies and face off against the powerful Red Wizard. —Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2025

The president lacks the unilateral power to decide how individual states run elections, but his declaration speaks to long-brewing and unfounded claims by some conservatives that the country’s electoral system is insecure and vulnerable to widespread fraud. —Drew Shaw, ProPublica, 20 Aug. 2025

The bridges that exist are often insecure or expensive, and seamless integration with traditional infrastructure is still rare. —Thiago Rüdiger, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Aug. 2025

Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin’s said there is nothing insecure or controversial about the Bay State’s voting machines, and Massachusetts voters already vote by paper ballot. —Matthew Medsger, Boston Herald, 18 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin insecurus, from Latin in- + securus secure

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing insecure

• food insecure

Kids Definition

insecure

adjective

in·​se·​cure ˌin(t)-si-ˈkyu̇(ə)r 

1

: not confident or sure : uncertain

felt insecure about their response

2

: not well protected : not safe

insecure property

3

: not firmly fastened : loose

an insecure hinge

4

: lacking self-assurance

insecure people

insecurely adverb

insecurity

-ˈkyu̇r-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

insecure

adjective

in·​se·​cure ˌin(t)-si-ˈkyu̇(ə)r 

: characterized by or causing emotional insecurity

an insecure childhood

Legal Definition

insecure

adjective

in·​se·​cure

: having a good faith belief that the prospect of receiving payment or performance from a party with whom one has contracted is impaired

insecurity noun