I. se ‧ cure 1 S3 W3 AC /sɪˈkʊə $ -ˈkjʊr/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ secure ; noun : ↑ security ≠ ↑ insecurity ; adverb : ↑ securely ≠ ↑ insecurely ; adjective : ↑ secure ≠ ↑ insecure ]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: securus , from se 'without' + cura 'care' ]
1 . PERMANENT/CERTAIN a situation that is secure is one that you can depend on because it is not likely to change OPP insecure :
There are no secure jobs these days.
We want a secure future for our children.
United’s position at the top of the league seems relatively secure.
2 . PLACE/BUILDING locked or guarded so that people cannot get in or out or steal anything:
The house isn’t very secure – we need some new locks.
Keep your passport in a secure place.
secure accommodation British English (=a type of prison)
In the last year, only three children under the age of 14 have had to be placed in secure accommodation.
3 . SAFE FROM HARM safe from and protected against damage or attack:
Companies can offer secure credit card transactions over the Internet.
secure from
These elephants are relatively secure from poachers.
4 . CONFIDENT feeling confident about yourself and your abilities OPP insecure :
We want our children to be secure and feel good about themselves.
5 . NOT WORRIED feeling confident and certain about a situation and not worried that it might change OPP insecure :
Workers no longer feel secure about the future.
It was enough money to make us feel financially secure.
We huddled together, secure in the knowledge that the rescue helicopter was on its way.
6 . FIRMLY FASTENED firmly fastened or tied, and not likely to fall down:
Are you sure that shelf is secure?
• • •
THESAURUS
■ not in danger
▪ safe not in danger of being harmed, lost, or stolen. Also used about a place where someone or something is safe:
I don’t feel safe around here.
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Keep your valuables in a safe place.
▪ secure if something is secure, it is safe from thieves and criminals. Also used about a place where something is safe:
How do I know that my personal details are secure?
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The money is in a very secure place.
▪ well protected not likely to be damaged or harmed by something:
The equipment was well protected from the rain.
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Always make sure that you are well protected from the sun.
▪ out of harm’s way in a place where someone or something cannot be hurt or damaged:
She put the glass vases on the top shelf, out of harm’s way.
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Make sure that he stays out of harm’s way.
II. secure 2 W3 AC BrE AmE verb [transitive]
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ secure ; noun : ↑ security ≠ ↑ insecurity ; adverb : ↑ securely ≠ ↑ insecurely ; adjective : ↑ secure ≠ ↑ insecure ]
1 . GET/ACHIEVE to get or achieve something that will be permanent, especially after a lot of effort:
Boyd’s goal secured his team’s place in the Cup Final.
secure a deal/contract
The company secured a $20 million contract.
Negotiators are still working to secure the hostages’ release.
Redgrave won his third Olympic gold medal, and secured his place in history.
2 . SAFE FROM HARM to make something safe from being attacked, harmed, or lost:
Troops were sent to secure the border.
secure something against somebody/something
They built a ten-foot high fence to secure the house against intruders.
an agreement to secure the future of the rainforest
3 . TIE FIRMLY to fasten or tie something firmly in a particular position
secure something to something
John secured the boat firmly to the jetty.
4 . BORROWING MONEY if you secure a debt or a ↑ loan , you legally promise that, if you cannot pay back the money you have borrowed, you will give the lender goods or property of the same value instead:
He used his house to secure the loan.