safe

SAYF/seɪf/

Noun pluralsafes

18 meanings of safe

1
harmlessadjective
Not dangerous or risky, or keeping people protected from harm, like a safe place.
Walking on the marked path is safe.
Is it safe to drink this water?
UsageSay safe to do something (safe to drink) or safe for someone.
2
adjective
Not in danger, or protected from a particular danger.
The children are safe inside the house during the storm.
Once we crossed the bridge, we were safe.
UsageSay safe from something: safe from the rain. Safe and sound means not hurt at all.
3
locked boxnouncountable
A strong metal box with a lock for keeping money and important things.
Like a tiny locked room for your most important things.
Dad keeps his watch and some cash in a safe.
The hotel room has a small safe for your passport.
Similarstrongbox, vault
4
sureadjective
Sure to happen or sure to be true.
Pizza is a safe bet, because almost every kid likes it.
Look at those dark clouds; it's safe to say rain is coming.
UsageOften in a safe bet and it's safe to say.
Similarcertain, sure, assured
Oppositeuncertain, doubtful
Note
5
cautiousadjective
Careful in the way you act, and not taking risks.
Dad is a safe driver who always slows down in the rain.
He is a safe climber who checks his ropes twice before every climb.
UsageOften in a safe driver. Play it safe means to avoid risks.
Similarcautious, careful, conservative, prudent, circumspect
Oppositereckless, rash, daring, adventurous
6
adjective
Easy to trust and not likely to fail you.
Give the job to Ana; she is a safe pair of hands.
Their oldest worker is safe and steady, so the boss trusts him with the keys.
UsageOften in a safe pair of hands: someone you can trust to do a job well.
Similartrustworthy
Oppositeunreliable, untrustworthy
7
adverbcolloquial
Carefully and without danger. People often say it to someone who is leaving to drive or travel.
Bye, Grandma! Drive safe and call us when you get there.
Text me when your plane lands, and travel safe!
Similarcarefully
Oppositerecklessly, carelessly
Note

Less common meanings

8
baseballadjective
In baseball, having reached a base before the other team can get you out.
Like touching 'base' in a game of tag before anyone can catch you.
The umpire spread his arms to show the runner was safe.
She slid into second base and was safe by inches.
UsageUsually be safe or be called safe. The opposite is out.
Oppositeout
Note
9
fastenedadjective
Firmly fixed or fastened so it will not come loose, open, or fall.
Similarsecure
Oppositeinsecure, loose
10
disarmverbtransitive
To make something no longer dangerous, for example by switching it off or locking it.
The soldier safed her rifle before handing it to the officer.
Before the crew could work on the rocket, engineers had to safe it.
UsageThe forms are safed and safing. Don't mix up safed with saved.
Similardisarm, secure, deactivate, defuse
Oppositearm
Note
11
cooladjectiveslangUK
Very good or cool. People also say it alone to agree or show approval.
Like saying 'cool' or 'nice' when you like something.
Those new trainers are safe, mate.
'I'll bring the snacks tonight.' 'Safe, see you there.'
UsagePeople often say just Safe! to mean thanks or OK.
Similarawesome, cool, amazing, excellent, great
Note
12
condomnounslangcountable
A slang word for a condom, the thin rubber cover used during sex.
She'd better have an arsenal of Trojans in her purse just in case he wasn't carrying a safe in his back pocket.
1999, Rita Ciresi, Pink Slip
Similarcondom, rubber
Note
13
sound verdictadjectiveUK
Strongly supported by evidence, so a court will probably not change the decision.
The judges said the conviction was safe and turned down the appeal.
After the new evidence came out, no one could call the verdict safe.
Similarsound
Oppositeunsafe, unsound
Note
14
lenientadjectiveslang
Easy on students and not strict about rules or grades.
Our math teacher is safe and never gives extra homework.
Take his class. He is safe and lets you turn things in late.
Similarlenient, easy-going, tolerant, merciful
Oppositestrict, harsh, intolerant
Note
15
food cupboardnoundatedcountable
A cabinet with air holes or cooling that keeps food away from insects and mice.
Like a refrigerator from before electricity: it kept food fresh and away from bugs without any power.
Mother kept the bread and cheese in the safe so the mice could not reach them.
The other room was a kitchen, with an open fireplace, a safe, a dresser and a tin sink, with a tap from the tank outside.
1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of ConsentHere, safe means a cabinet that keeps food away from insects and mice.
Similarlarder, icebox
Note
16
bicyclenoundatedcountable
A bicycle with two wheels of the same size: the kind people still ride today.
Note
17
adjective
Designed so that mistakes in a program are caught or behave in a predictable way, instead of causing strange, surprising results.
18
adjective
Of a ball you aim at in snooker: sitting where it is hard to knock into a pocket.

Practice

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Origin

It came through Old French from Latin salvus, meaning "whole, safe." It replaced the older English word sicor.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

Safe came through Old French from Latin salvus. en.wiktionary.org
Latin salvus meant “whole, safe.” en.wiktionary.org
Safe replaced the older English word sicor. en.wiktionary.org