(~r, ~st, ~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
Something that is ~ does not cause physical harm or danger.
Officials arrived to assess whether it is ~ to bring emergency food supplies into the city...
Most foods that we eat are ~ for birds.
...a ~ and reliable birth control option.
? dangerous
ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf
2.
If a person or thing is ~ from something, they cannot be harmed or damaged by it.
In the future people can go to a football match knowing that they are ~ from hooliganism...
ADJ: v-link ADJ, usu ADJ from n
3.
If you are ~, you have not been harmed, or you are not in danger of being harmed.
Where is Sophy? Is she ~?...
ADJ: v-link ADJ
~ly
All 140 guests were brought out of the building ~ly by firemen.
ADV: ADV with v
4.
A ~ 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 ~r areas...
ADJ
~ly
The banker keeps the money tucked ~ly under his bed.
ADV: ADV after v
5.
If people or things have a ~ journey, they reach their destination without harm, damage, or unpleasant things happening to them.
...the UN plan to deploy 500 troops to ensure the ~ delivery of food and other supplies.
ADJ: ADJ n
~ly
The space shuttle returned ~ly today from a 10-day mission...
ADV: ADV with v, ADV adv
6.
If you are at a ~ 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 ~ distance from the battlefield...
ADJ: ADJ n
7.
If something you have or expect to obtain is ~, you cannot lose it or be prevented from having it.
We as consumers need to feel confident that our jobs are ~ before we will spend spare cash...
= secure
ADJ: usu v-link ADJ
8.
A ~ course of action is one in which there is very little risk of loss or failure.
Electricity shares are still a ~ investment...
ADJ: usu ADJ n, also it v-link ADJ to-inf
~ly
We reveal only as much information as we can ~ly 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 ~.
...frustrated artists who became lawyers at an early age because it seemed a ~ option...
Rock’n’roll has become so commercialised and ~ since punk.
ADJ disapproval
10.
If it is ~ to say or assume something, you can say it with very little risk of being wrong.
I think it is ~ to say that very few students expend the effort to do quality work in school...
ADJ: oft it v-link ADJ to-inf
~ly
I think you can ~ly say she will not be appearing in another of my films.
ADV: ADV before v
11.
A ~ is a strong metal cupboard with special locks, in which you keep money, jewellery, or other valuable things.
The files are now in a ~ to which only he has the key.
N-COUNT
12.
see also ~ly
13.
If you say that a person or thing is in ~ hands, or is ~ 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 ~ hands...
PHRASE: usu v-link PHR
14.
If you play ~ or play it ~, you do not take any risks.
If you want to play ~, cut down on the amount of salt you eat...
PHRASE: V inflects
15.
If you say you are doing something to be on the ~ 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 ~ side.
PHRASE: PHR with cl
16.
If you say ‘it’s better to be ~ 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 ~ than sorry!
PHRASE
17.
You say that someone is ~ 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 ~ and sound.
PHRASE: PHR after v, v-link PHR
18.
a ~ pair of hands: see pair
~ in the knowledge: see knowledge