transcription, транскрипция: [ seɪf ]
( safer, safest, safes)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
Something that is safe does not cause physical harm or danger.
Officials arrived to assess whether it is safe to bring emergency food supplies into the city...
Most foods that we eat are safe for birds.
...a safe and reliable birth control option.
≠ dangerous
ADJ : oft it v-link ADJ to-inf
2.
If a person or thing is safe from something, they cannot be harmed or damaged by it.
In the future people can go to a football match knowing that they are safe from hooliganism...
ADJ : v-link ADJ , usu ADJ from n
3.
If you are safe , you have not been harmed, or you are not in danger of being harmed.
Where is Sophy? Is she safe?...
ADJ : v-link ADJ
• safe‧ly
All 140 guests were brought out of the building safely by firemen.
ADV : ADV with v
4.
A safe place is one where it is unlikely that any harm, damage, or unpleasant things will happen to the people or things that are there.
Many refugees have fled to safer areas...
ADJ
• safe‧ly
The banker keeps the money tucked safely under his bed.
ADV : ADV after v
5.
If people or things have a safe journey, they reach their destination without harm, damage, or unpleasant things happening to them.
...the UN plan to deploy 500 troops to ensure the safe delivery of food and other supplies.
ADJ : ADJ n
• safe‧ly
The space shuttle returned safely today from a 10-day mission...
ADV : ADV with v , ADV adv
6.
If you are at a safe distance from something or someone, you are far enough away from them to avoid any danger, harm, or unpleasant effects.
I shall conceal myself at a safe distance from the battlefield...
ADJ : ADJ n
7.
If something you have or expect to obtain is safe , you cannot lose it or be prevented from having it.
We as consumers need to feel confident that our jobs are safe before we will spend spare cash...
= secure
ADJ : usu v-link ADJ
8.
A safe course of action is one in which there is very little risk of loss or failure.
Electricity shares are still a safe investment...
ADJ : usu ADJ n , also it v-link ADJ to-inf
• safe‧ly
We reveal only as much information as we can safely risk at a given time.
ADV : usu ADV before v
9.
If you disapprove of something because you think it is not very exciting or original, you can describe it as safe .
...frustrated artists who became lawyers at an early age because it seemed a safe option...
Rock’n’roll has become so commercialised and safe since punk.
ADJ [ disapproval ]
10.
If it is safe to say or assume something, you can say it with very little risk of being wrong.
I think it is safe to say that very few students expend the effort to do quality work in school...
ADJ : oft it v-link ADJ to-inf
• safe‧ly
I think you can safely say she will not be appearing in another of my films.
ADV : ADV before v
11.
A safe is a strong metal cupboard with special locks, in which you keep money, jewellery, or other valuable things.
The files are now in a safe to which only he has the key.
N-COUNT
12.
see also safely
13.
If you say that a person or thing is in safe hands , or is safe in someone’s hands , you mean that they are being looked after by a reliable person and will not be harmed.
I had a huge responsibility to ensure these packets remained in safe hands...
PHRASE : usu v-link PHR
14.
If you play safe or play it safe , you do not take any risks.
If you want to play safe, cut down on the amount of salt you eat...
PHRASE : V inflects
15.
If you say you are doing something to be on the safe side , you mean that you are doing it in case something undesirable happens, even though this may be unnecessary.
You might still want to go for an X-ray, however, just to be on the safe side.
PHRASE : PHR with cl
16.
If you say ‘ it’s better to be safe than sorry ’, you are advising someone to take action in order to avoid possible unpleasant consequences later, even if this seems unnecessary.
Don’t be afraid to have this checked by a doctor–better safe than sorry!
PHRASE
17.
You say that someone is safe and sound when they are still alive or unharmed after being in danger.
All I’m hoping for is that wherever Trevor is he will come home safe and sound.
PHRASE : PHR after v , v-link PHR
18.
a safe pair of hands: see pair
safe in the knowledge: see knowledge