safe

A2 Topic:Safety & Risk

US /seɪf/ See IPA manual

Minimal pairs

Sounds like chafe /tʃ/ vs /s/

Freq #560

Meanings

1

adj
Not in danger and not likely to be harmed.

You'll be safe from the storm here in the cabin.
2

adj
Not likely to cause harm or danger.

It's safe to eat these berries.
3

noun
A strong metal box with a lock, used to keep money and valuables secure.

She kept her jewelry in a safe in the bedroom.
4

adj
Unlikely to result in loss or failure.

He made a safe investment in government bonds.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 adj · not likely to cause harm or... harmless

4 adj · unlikely to result in loss... secure dependable

More guarded invulnerable ok protected

Opposites

dangerous hazardous unsafe

Word family

Forms safersafessafest

Etymology

From Middle English sauf, safe, saf, saaf, from Old French sauf, saulf, salf (“safe”), from Latin salvus (“whole, safe”), from Proto-Italic *salwos, from Proto-Indo-European *solh₂- (“whole, every”). Displaced native Old English sicor (secure, sure).

*solh₂- Proto-Indo-European sauf Middle English salvus Latin *salwos Proto-Italic

View etymology graph ->

External links

# safe

**Type:** Word
**Level:** A2
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** /seɪf/
**Frequency rank:** 560

## Meanings
1. Not in danger and not likely to be harmed.
2. Not likely to cause harm or danger.
3. A strong metal box with a lock, used to keep money and valuables secure.
4. Unlikely to result in loss or failure.

## Examples
- You'll be safe from the storm here in the cabin.
- It's safe to eat these berries.
- She kept her jewelry in a safe in the bedroom.
- He made a safe investment in government bonds.

## Synonyms
- guarded
- invulnerable
- ok
- protected
- secure

## Antonyms
- dangerous
- hazardous
- unsafe

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: *solh₂-
- Root: sauf
- Root: salvus
- Root: *salwos

## Etymology
From Middle English sauf, safe, saf, saaf, from Old French sauf, saulf, salf (“safe”), from Latin salvus (“whole, safe”), from Proto-Italic *salwos, from Proto-Indo-European *solh₂- (“whole, every”). Displaced native Old English sicor (secure, sure).

## AI Etymology
Safe comes from Middle English sauf, safe, saf, saaf, from Old French sauf, saulf, salf (“safe”), from Latin salvus (“whole, safe”), from Proto-Italic *salwos, from Proto-Indo-European *solh₂- (“whole, every”). Displaced native Old English sicor (secure, sure). Modern senses include not in danger and not likely to be harmed. and not likely to cause harm or danger..

## Topics
- Safety & Risk

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safe

Meanings

Thesaurus

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