Secure vs. Safe — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on October 23, 2023
Secure is to free from danger or threats. Safe is to protected from or not exposed to danger or risk.
Difference Between Secure and Safe
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Both Secure and Safe are terms used to describe a condition or state free from harm or danger. While "Secure" often denotes being free from potential threats or being firmly fixed in place, "Safe" typically means being protected from harm or not exposed to danger.
In various contexts, "Secure" implies an active effort to make something resistant to threats. For instance, a system can be made Secure against hackers. Conversely, "Safe" often describes a passive state of being shielded from harm, like a Safe zone in a conflict area.
When discussing objects or places, "Secure" suggests that it's tightly or properly fixed and won't easily move or be accessed. A Secure vault implies it's hard to breach. "Safe," on the other hand, might mean that the content within the vault is undamaged and unharmed.
In terms of feelings, someone might feel Secure in a relationship, suggesting trust and stability. However, feeling Safe with someone usually means there's a lack of threat or harm when being with that person.
In summary, while both terms indicate a level of protection, "Secure" leans more towards being fortified or defended actively, and "Safe" leans towards being free from harm or risk.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Definition
Free from danger or threats.
Protected from or not exposed to danger.
Implication
Actively guarded or fortified.
Passive state of being free from harm.
Usage Context
Often in relation to systems, relationships, or fixed positions.
Typically concerning locations, feelings, or general well-being.
Action Aspect
Indicates an effort to make resistant to threats.
Indicates inherent or granted protection.
Antonyms
Vulnerable, exposed.
Dangerous, at-risk.
Compare with Definitions
Secure
Protected against attack or other criminal activity.
The facility was made Secure with advanced surveillance systems.
Safe
Denoting a play or movie that avoids controversy or risk.
The director chose a Safe topic for the film.
Secure
Certain to remain safe and unthreatened.
The team secured a place in the finals.
Safe
A strong fireproof cabinet with a complex lock, used for the storage of valuables.
All the contracts were stored in the Safe.
Secure
Free from danger or attack
A secure fortress.
Safe
A safe (also called a strongbox or coffer) is a secure lockable box used for securing valuable objects against theft and/or damage from fire. A safe is usually a hollow cuboid or cylinder, with one face being removable or hinged to form a door.
Secure
Free from risk of loss; safe
Her papers were secure in the vault.
Safe
Free from danger or injury; undamaged or unhurt
He returned from the voyage safe and sound.
Secure
Free from the risk of being intercepted or listened to by unauthorized persons
Only one telephone line in the embassy was secure.
Safe
Not exposed to the threat of danger or harm
The children were safe at home all through the storm.
Secure
Free from fear, anxiety, or doubt
Felt secure in his old job.
Safe
Usable in specified conditions without being damaged. Often used in combination
A microwave safe container.
Secure
Not likely to fail or give way; stable
A secure stepladder.
Safe
Free from risk; not liable to be lost; sure
A safe bet.
Secure
Firmly fastened
A secure lock.
Safe
Affording protection
A safe place.
Secure
Reliable; dependable
Secure investments.
Safe
(Baseball) Having reached a base without being put out, as a batter or base runner.
Secure
Assured; certain
With three goals in the first period they had a secure victory, but somehow they lost.
Safe
A metal container usually having a lock, used for storing valuables.
Secure
(Archaic) Careless or overconfident.
Safe
A repository for protecting stored items, especially a cooled compartment for perishable foods
A cheese safe.
Secure
To guard from danger or risk of loss
The troops secured the area before the civilians were allowed to return.
Safe
Not in danger; out of harm's reach.
You’ll be safe here.
Secure
To make firm or tight; fasten.
Safe
Free from risk.
It’s safe to eat this.
Secure
To make certain; ensure
The speaker could not secure the goodwill of the audience.
Safe
Providing protection from danger; providing shelter.
We have to find a safe spot, where we can hide out until this is over.
Secure
To guarantee payment of (a loan, for example).
Safe
(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.
Secure
To guarantee payment to (a creditor).
Safe
In a location that renders it difficult to hit with the cue ball.
Secure
To get possession of; acquire
Secured a job.
Safe
Properly secured.
The documents are safe.
Secure
To capture or confine
They secured the suspect in the squad car.
Safe
Not susceptible to a specified source of harm.
Secure
To bring about; effect
Secured release of the hostages.
Safe
Great, cool, awesome, respectable; a term of approbation, often as interjection.
Secure
To protect or ensure the privacy or secrecy of (a telephone line, for example).
Safe
(slang) Lenient, usually describing a teacher that is easy-going.
Secure
Free from attack or danger; protected.
Safe
Reliable; trusty.
Secure
Free from the danger of theft; safe.
Safe
Cautious.
Secure
Free from the risk of eavesdropping, interception or discovery; secret.
Safe
(programming) Of a programming language, type-safe or more generally offering well-defined behavior despite programming errors.
Secure
Free from anxiety or doubt; unafraid.
Safe
A box, usually made of metal, in which valuables can be locked for safekeeping.
Secure
Firm and not likely to fail; stable.
Safe
(slang) A condom.
Secure
Free from the risk of financial loss; reliable.
Safe
(dated) A ventilated or refrigerated chest or closet for securing provisions from noxious animals or insects.
Secure
Confident in opinion; not entertaining, or not having reason to entertain, doubt; certain; sure; commonly used with of.
Secure of a welcome
Safe
A safety bicycle.
Secure
(obsolete) Overconfident; incautious; careless.
Safe
(transitive) To make something safe.
Secure
Certain to be achieved or gained; assured.
Just when victory seemed secure, they let it slip from their grasp.
Safe
Free from harm, injury, or risk; untouched or unthreatened by danger or injury; unharmed; unhurt; secure; whole; as, safe from disease; safe from storms; safe from foes.
They escaped all safe to land.
Established in a safe, unenvied throne.
Secure
To make safe; to relieve from apprehensions of, or exposure to, danger; to guard; to protect.
Safe
Conferring safety; securing from harm; not exposing to danger; confining securely; to be relied upon; not dangerous; as, a safe harbor; a safe bridge, etc.
The King of heaven hath doomedThis place our dungeon, not our safe retreat.
Secure
To put beyond hazard of losing or of not receiving; to make certain; to assure; frequently with against or from, or formerly with of.
To secure a creditor against loss; to secure a debt by a mortgage
Safe
Incapable of doing harm; no longer dangerous; in secure care or custody; as, the prisoner is safe.
But Banquo's safe?Ay, my good lord, safe in a ditch he bides.
Secure
To make fast; to close or confine effectually; to render incapable of getting loose or escaping.
To secure a prisoner; to secure a door, or the hatches of a ship
Safe
A place for keeping things in safety.
Secure
To get possession of; to make oneself secure of; to acquire certainly.
To secure an estate
Safe
To render safe; to make right.
Secure
To plight or pledge.
Safe
Strongbox where valuables can be kept safe
Secure
Free from fear, care, or anxiety; easy in mind; not feeling suspicion or distrust; confident.
But thou, secure of soul, unbent with woes.
Safe
A ventilated or refrigerated cupboard for securing provisions from pests
Secure
Overconfident; incautious; careless; - in a bad sense.
Safe
Contraceptive device consisting of a thin rubber or latex sheath worn over the penis during intercourse
Secure
Confident in opinion; not entertaining, or not having reason to entertain, doubt; certain; sure; - commonly with of; as, secure of a welcome.
Confidence then bore thee on, secureEither to meet no danger, or to findMatter of glorious trial.
Safe
Free from danger or the risk of harm;
A safe trip
You will be safe here
A safe place
A safe bet
Secure
Not exposed to danger; safe; - applied to persons and things, and followed by against or from.
Safe
Of an undertaking
Secure
To make safe; to relieve from apprehensions of, or exposure to, danger; to guard; to protect.
I spread a cloud before the victor's sight,Sustained the vanquished, and secured his flight.
Safe
Having reached a base without being put out;
The runner was called safe when the baseman dropped the ball
Secure
To put beyond hazard of losing or of not receiving; to make certain; to assure; to insure; - frequently with against or from, rarely with of; as, to secure a creditor against loss; to secure a debt by a mortgage.
It secures its possessor of eternal happiness.
Safe
Financially sound;
A good investment
A secure investment
Secure
To make fast; to close or confine effectually; to render incapable of getting loose or escaping; as, to secure a prisoner; to secure a door, or the hatches of a ship.
Safe
In safekeeping;
Your secret is safe with me
Secure
To get possession of; to make one's self secure of; to acquire certainly; as, to secure an estate.
Safe
Protected from or not exposed to danger or risk.
He was kept in a Safe location.
Secure
Get by special effort;
He procured extra cigarettes even though they were rationed
Safe
Not likely to cause or lead to harm or injury.
The equipment is Safe to use.
Secure
Cause to be firmly attached;
Fasten the lock onto the door
She fixed her gaze on the man
Safe
Based on good reasons or evidence and unlikely to be affected by doubt.
It's a Safe assumption that he'll come.
Secure
Assure payment of
Secure
Make certain of;
This nest egg will ensure a nice retirement for us
Preparation will guarantee success!
Secure
Fill or close tightly with or as if with a plug;
Plug the hole
Stop up the leak
Secure
Furnish with battens;
Batten ships
Secure
Free from fear or doubt; easy in mind;
Secure himself, he went out of his way to help others
Secure
Free from danger or risk;
Secure from harm
His fortune was secure
Made a secure place for himself in his field
Secure
Kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss;
The most protected spot I could find
Secure
Not likely to fail or give way;
The lock was secure
A secure foundation
A secure hold on her wrist
Secure
Able to withstand attack;
An impregnable fortress
Fortifications that made the frontier inviolable
Secure
Financially sound;
A good investment
A secure investment
Secure
Fixed or fastened so as not to give way, become loose, or be lost.
Ensure the door is Secure before leaving.
Secure
Feeling safe, stable, and free from fear or anxiety.
She felt Secure in her new job.
Secure
Obtaining or achieving something, especially with effort.
He managed to Secure a loan from the bank.
Common Curiosities
How does one feel Secure in a relationship?
Feeling Secure in a relationship usually implies trust, stability, and freedom from doubt or fear.
Are the words Secure and Safe interchangeable?
While related, they aren't always interchangeable due to their nuanced differences.
How does Secure browsing work?
Secure browsing, like using HTTPS, encrypts data to ensure user information remains Safe and private.
What's a Safe distance to keep from wild animals?
A Safe distance ensures one isn't at risk of harm or attack from the animal.
How can I ensure my home is Safe?
Installing security systems, locks, and taking precautions can make a home Safe from threats.
Can software be Secure?
Yes, software can be Secure if it's protected against threats like malware or hacking.
What's the opposite of feeling Safe?
Feeling endangered or at risk.
Can a job be Secure but not Safe?
Yes, one might have job security (Secure) but face risks like health hazards in the workplace (not Safe).
Does a Secure investment always mean it's a Safe investment?
Not necessarily. Secure might mean it's protected, but it doesn't guarantee it's free from financial risk.
Can a place be Secure but not Safe?
Yes, a place might be well-guarded (Secure) but still have inherent dangers, making it not Safe.
Why is it important for children to feel Safe and Secure?
It fosters a conducive environment for growth, learning, and mental well-being.
Are Safe spaces free from judgment?
Typically, Safe spaces are environments where individuals feel Secure expressing themselves without fear of judgment or harm.
Why might someone not feel Secure even if they're Safe?
Past traumas, anxiety, or perceived threats might make someone feel insecure despite being in a Safe environment.
Can a Safe be Secure?
Yes, a Safe (storage for valuables) can be Secure if it's hard to breach or access.
How do Safe practices contribute to a Secure environment?
Safe practices ensure that potential threats are minimized, contributing to a more Secure environment overall.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
