Safe
Pronunciation
- IPA: /seɪf/
- Rhymes: -eɪf
Origin
From Middle English safe, saf, saaf, from Old French sauf, saulf, salf ("safe"), from Latin salvus ("whole, safe"), from Proto-Indo-European *salw-, *solw-, *slÅw- ("safe, healthy").
Full definition of safe
Adjective
safe
- Not in danger; free from harm's reach.You’ll be safe here.
- Free from risk; harmless, riskless.
- 1963, Margery Allingham, The China Governess Chapter 19, When Timothy and Julia hurried up the staircase to the bedroom floor, where a considerable commotion was taking place, Tim took Barry Leach with him. He had him gripped firmly by the arm, since he felt it was not safe to let him loose, and he had no immediate idea what to do with him.
- It’s safe to eat this.
- Providing protection from danger; providing shelter.We have to find a safe spot, where we can hide out until this is over.
- (baseball) When a batter successfully reaches first base, or when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base or returns to the base he last occupied; not out.The pitcher attempted to pick off the runner at first, but he was safe.
- Properly secured; secure.The documents are safe.
- (used after a noun, often forming a compound) Not in danger from the specified source of harm.dishwasher safe; dishwasher-safe
- (UK, slang) Great, cool, awesome, respectable; a term of approbation.
- 1996, August 12, "Mandrake", Re: Multiple Messages - an apology, and you also forgot to mentioned the wheels man you know bmw playing¶ ragga jungle hip hop tunes¶ and on the mobile¶ yeah safe!¶ nice one¶ later
- 1996 or 1997, Roy Williams, Plays 1: The No Boys Cricket Club
Startstruck
Lift Off, Young Mal: Yu can’t. Irie means yer cool, yer safe, everything awright. - 2000, Teddy Hayes, Dead by Popular Demand, “If you need more, just ring, yeah?†Punch said.¶ “Safe,†Brian answered.
- 2002, Danny Braverman, Playing a Part: Drama and Citizenship, They end the call. Fami goes over to Paul. They touch hands.¶ Femi: Yeah, safe man.
- unknown date Steve Carter, Love, Sex and Tesco's Finest Cava, page 169:“Yeah, safe mate, wassup?†says one hoodie, who should at least be credited with attempting a more detailed sentence construction.
- Reliable.
- Cautious.
Hyponyms
Noun
safe
(plural safes)- A box, usually made of metal, in which valuables can be locked for safekeeping.
- (slang) A condom.
- 1999, Rita Ciresi, Pink Slip, Delta (1999), ISBN 0385323638, page 328:She'd better have an arsenal of Trojans in her purse just in case he wasn't carrying a safe in his back pocket.
- (dated) A ventilated or refrigerated chest or closet for securing provisions from noxious animals or insects.