adjective, saf·er, saf·est.
- secure from liability to harm, injury, danger, or risk: a safe place.
- free from hurt, injury, danger, or risk: to arrive safe and sound.
- involving little or no risk of mishap, error, etc.: a safe estimate.
- dependable or trustworthy: a safe guide.
- careful to avoid danger or controversy: a safe player; a safe play.
- denied the chance to do harm; in secure custody: a criminal safe in jail.
- Baseball.
- reaching base without being put out: safe on the throw to first base.
- making it possible to reach a base: a safe slide.
adverb
- Informal. in a safe manner; safely: Learn how to drive safe.See Grammar note at adverb.
noun
- a steel or iron box or repository for money, jewels, papers, etc.
- any receptacle or structure for the storage or preservation of articles: a meat safe.
- (in plumbing)
- a pan for catching leakage.
- template(def 7).
- Slang. a condom.
Idioms
- play it safe, play(def 85).
adjective
- affording security or protection from harma safe place
- (postpositive) free from dangeryou’ll be safe here
- secure from risk; certain; sounda safe investment; a safe bet
- worthy of trust; prudenta safe companion
- tending to avoid controversy or riska safe player
- unable to do harm; not dangerousa criminal safe behind bars; water safe to drink
- British informal excellent
- on the safe side as a precaution
adverb
- in a safe conditionthe children are safe in bed now
- play safe to act in a way least likely to cause danger, controversy, or defeat
noun
- a strong container, usually of metal and provided with a secure lock, for storing money or valuables
- a small ventilated cupboard-like container for storing food
- US and Canadian a slang word for condom
adj.c.1300, “unscathed, unhurt, uninjured; free from danger or molestation, in safety, secure; saved spiritually, redeemed, not damned;” from Old French sauf “protected, watched-over; assured of salvation,” from Latin salvus “uninjured, in good health, safe,” related to salus “good health,” saluber “healthful,” all from PIE *solwos from root *sol- “whole” (cf. Latin solidus “solid,” Sanskrit sarvah “uninjured, intact, whole,” Avestan haurva- “uninjured, intact,” Old Persian haruva-, Greek holos “whole”). As a quasi-preposition from c.1300, on model of French and Latin cognates. From late 14c. as “rescued, delivered; protected; left alive, unkilled.” Meaning “not exposed to danger” (of places) is attested from late 14c.; of actions, etc., “free from risk,” first recorded 1580s. Meaning “sure, reliable, not a danger” is from c.1600. Sense of “conservative, cautious” is from 1823. Paired alliteratively with sound (adj.) from late 14c. The noun safe-conduct (late 13c.) is from Old French sauf-conduit (13c.). n.“chest for keeping food or valuables,” early 15c., save, from Middle French en sauf “in safety,” from sauf (see safe (adj.)). Spelling with -f- first recorded 1680s, from influence of safe (adj.). In addition to the idioms beginning with safe
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