safe

UK: /ˈseɪf/ US: /seɪf/ ,(sāf)

Inflections of 'safe' (adj):

safer

adj comparative

safest

adj superlative

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

safe /seɪf/   adj., saf•er, saf•est, n. 
adj. 

1. offering security from danger;
   giving protection:
   a safe neighborhood.
2. free from injury or risk:
   They arrived home safe.
3. reasonably correct:
   a safe estimate.
4. dependable;
   trustworthy:
   a safe guide.
5. careful to avoid risk:
   a very safe driver.
6. Sport [Baseball.] reaching base without being put out:
   [be + ~] safe at home!
7. (of a secret) that will not be told to others:
   [be + ~] Your secret is safe with me.

n. [countable]

8. a steel box or other secure place for valuables:
   a safe in the wall, hidden behind a bookshelf.

Idioms

9. play (it) safe, to avoid taking unnecessary risks:
   He played it safe and didn't drive fast in the snow.

safe•ly, adv. 
safe•ness, n. [uncountable] See -salv-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

safe  (sāf  ), adj., saf•er, saf•est, n. 
adj. 

1. secure from liability to harm, injury, danger, or risk:
   a safe place.
2. free from hurt, injury, danger, or risk:
   to arrive safe and sound.
3. involving little or no risk of mishap, error, etc.:
   a safe estimate.
4. dependable or trustworthy:
   a safe guide.
5. careful to avoid danger or controversy:
   a safe player; a safe play.
6. denied the chance to do harm;
   in secure custody:
   a criminal safe in jail.
7. Sport [Baseball.]
   • reaching base without being put out:
     safe on the throw to first base.
   • making it possible to reach a base:
     a safe slide.

n. 

8. a steel or iron box or repository for money, jewels, papers, etc.
9. any receptacle or structure for the storage or preservation of articles:
   a meat safe.
10. Building (in plumbing)
    • a pan for catching leakage.
    • template (def. 7).
11. Slang Terms a condom.

• Latin salvus intact, whole; (noun, nominal) late Middle English save, origin, originally derivative of save¹, assimilated to the adjective, adjectival; compare salvation
• Anglo-French saf, Old French sauf
• (adjective, adjectival) Middle English sauf, saf 1250–1300

safe′ly, adv. 
safe′ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. protected, sound, guarded.
  Safe, secure may both imply that something can be regarded as free from danger. These words are frequently interchangeable.
  Safe, however, is applied rather to a person or thing that is out of or has passed beyond the reach of danger:
  The ship is safe in port.
  Secure is applied to that about which there is no need to fear or worry:
  to feel secure about the future; The foundation of the house does not seem very secure.
• 4. sure, reliable.
• 5. wary, careful.
• 8. strongbox, coffer, chest, safe-deposit box.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

safe / seɪf/ adjective

1. affording security or protection from harm: a safe place
2. (postpositive) free from danger: you'll be safe here
3. secure from risk; certain; sound: a safe investment, a safe bet
4. worthy of trust; prudent: a safe companion
5. tending to avoid controversy or risk: a safe player
6. unable to do harm; not dangerous: a criminal safe behind bars, water safe to drink
7. excellent
8. on the safe side ⇒ as a precaution

adverb

1. in a safe condition: the children are safe in bed now
2. play safe ⇒ to act in a way least likely to cause danger, controversy, or defeat

noun

1. a strong container, usually of metal and provided with a secure lock, for storing money or valuables
2. a small ventilated cupboard-like container for storing food
3. 
   a slang word for condom

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French salf, from Latin salvus; related to Latin salus safety

ˈsafely adverb

ˈsafeness noun