insecure

UK: /ˌɪnsɪˈkjʊə^r/ US: /ˌɪnsɪˈkjʊr/ ,(in′si kyŏŏr′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•se•cure /ˌɪnsɪˈkyʊr/   adj. 

1. subject to fears, doubts, etc.:
   an insecure person.
2. not safe; exposed to risk or danger:
   fortified the defenses of their insecure borders.
3. not firmly or safely fastened;
   not secure:
   an insecure ladder.

in•se•cure•ly, adv.: 

The seatbelt was insecurely fastened.

in•se•cu•ri•ty /ˌɪnsɪˈkyʊrɪti/  n., pl. -ties 

[uncountable] Her fear of asking questions in class is a sign of insecurity.

[countable] Deal with your insecurities by confronting them.

See -cura-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

in•se•cure  (in′si kyŏŏr′), adj. 

1. subject to fears, doubts, etc.;
   not self-confident or assured:
   an insecure person.
2. not confident or certain;
   uneasy;
   anxious:
   He was insecure about the examination.
3. not secure;
   exposed or liable to risk, loss, or danger:
   an insecure stock portfolio.
4. not firmly or reliably placed or fastened:
   an insecure ladder.

• Medieval Latin insēcūrus. See in-³, secure
• 1640–50

in′se•cure′ly, adv. 
in′se•cure′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 3. risky. See uncertain. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

insecure / ˌɪnsɪˈkjʊə/ adjective

1. anxious or afraid; not confident or certain
2. not adequately protected: an insecure fortress
3. unstable or shaky

ˌinseˈcurely adverb

ˌinseˈcureness noun

ˌinseˈcurity noun