securely

UK: /sɪˈkjʊə^rli/

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

se•cure /sɪˈkyʊr/   adj., -cur•er, -cur•est, v., -cured, -cur•ing. 
adj. 

1. of or relating to security:
   They kept the jewels secure in the bank.
2. not liable or likely to fail, give way, etc.:
   He had a secure grip on the rope.
3. providing safety;
   kept in a safe place:
   a secure hiding place.
4. free from anxiety:
   emotionally secure.
5. certain;
   confident:
   secure in his religious belief.
6. safe from being intercepted by unauthorized persons:
   secure radio communications.

v. [~ + object]

7. to get hold of;
   obtain:
   to secure a new job.
8. to free from danger or harm;
   make safe:
   to secure the town from flooding.
9. to make certain of;
   ensure:
   The novel secured his reputation.
10. to make fast or tight:
    to secure a rope.
11. Business to assure payment of (a debt) by pledging property:
    to secure a loan.
12. to fasten against intruders:
    Secure your doors and windows.
13. to tie up the arms or hands of:
    to secure the prisoners.

se•cure•ly, adv.: 

Be sure your seatbelt is fastened securely.

See -cura-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

se•cure  (si kyŏŏr′), adj., -cur•er, -cur•est, v., -cured, -cur•ing. 
adj. 

1. free from or not exposed to danger or harm;
   safe.
2. dependable;
   firm;
   not liable to fail, yield, become displaced, etc., as a support or a fastening:
   The building was secure, even in an earthquake.
3. affording safety, as a place:
   He needed a secure hideout.
4. in safe custody or keeping:
   Here in the vault the necklace was secure.
5. free from care;
   without anxiety:
   emotionally secure.
6. firmly established, as a relationship or reputation:
   He earned a secure place among the baseball immortals.
7. sure;
   certain;
   assured:
   secure of victory; secure in religious belief.
8. safe from penetration or interception by unauthorized persons:
   secure radio communications between army units.
9. [Archaic.] overconfident.

v.t. 

10. to get hold or possession of;
    procure;
    obtain:
    to secure materials; to secure a high government position.
11. to free from danger or harm;
    make safe:
    Sandbags secured the town during the flood.
12. to effect;
    make certain of;
    ensure:
    The novel secured his reputation.
13. to make firm or fast, as by attaching:
    to secure a rope.
14. Business [Finance.]
    • to assure payment of (a debt) by pledging property.
    • to assure (a creditor) of payment by the pledge or mortgaging of property.
15. to lock or fasten against intruders:
    to secure the doors.
16. to protect from attack by taking cover, by building fortifications, etc.:
    The regiment secured its position.
17. to capture (a person or animal):
    No one is safe until the murderer is secured.
18. to tie up (a person), esp. by binding the person's arms or hands;
    pinion.
19. to guarantee the privacy or secrecy of:
    to secure diplomatic phone conversations.

v.i. 

20. to be or become safe;
    have or obtain security.
21. [Naut.]
    • Naval Terms to cover openings and make movable objects fast:
      The crew was ordered to secure for sea.
    • Naval Terms to be excused from duty:
      to secure from general quarters.

• Latin sēcūrus carefree, equivalent. to sē- se- + cūr(a) care (see cure) + -us adjective, adjectival suffix; compare sure
• 1525–35

se•cur′a•ble, adj. 
se•cure′ly, adv. 
se•cure′ness, n. 
se•cur′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. protected. See safe. 
• 2. stable, fast, fixed.
• 7. confident.
• 10. gain. See get. 
• 11. protect, guard, safeguard.
• 12. assure, guarantee.

Antonyms

• 1. unsafe.