/ sɪˈkjʊə(r); NAmE səˈkjʊr/ adjective , verb
■ adjective
HAPPY / CONFIDENT
1.
feeling happy and confident about yourself or a particular situation :
At last they were able to feel secure about the future.
She finished the match, secure in the knowledge that she was through to the next round.
OPP insecure
CERTAIN / SAFE
2.
likely to continue or be successful for a long time
SYN safe :
a secure job / income
It's not a very secure way to make a living.
The future of the company looks secure.
OPP insecure
3.
secure (against / from sth) that cannot be affected or harmed by sth :
Information must be stored so that it is secure from accidental deletion.
BUILDING / DOOR / ROOM
4.
guarded and/or made stronger so that it is difficult for people to enter or leave :
Check that all windows and doors have been made as secure as possible.
a secure unit for child offenders
OPP insecure
FIRM
5.
not likely to move, fall down, etc.
SYN stable :
The aerial doesn't look very secure to me.
It was difficult to maintain a secure foothold on the ice.
( figurative )
Our relationship was now on a more secure footing.
OPP insecure
► se·cure·ly adverb :
She locked the door securely behind her.
Make sure the ropes are securely fastened.
■ verb
GET STH
1.
~ sth (for sb/sth) | ~ sb sth ( formal ) to obtain or achieve sth, especially when this means using a lot of effort :
[ vn ]
to secure a contract / deal
The team managed to secure a place in the finals.
She secured 2 000 votes.
[ vn , vnn ]
He secured a place for himself at law school.
He secured himself a place at law school.
FASTEN FIRMLY
2.
[ vn ] ~ sth (to sth) to attach or fasten sth firmly :
She secured the rope firmly to the back of the car.
PROTECT FROM HARM
3.
[ vn ] ~ sth (against sth) to protect sth so that it is safe and difficult to attack or damage :
to secure a property against intruders
The windows were secured with locks and bars.
( figurative )
a savings plan that will secure your child's future
A LOAN
4.
[ vn ] to legally agree to give sb property or goods that are worth the same amount as the money that you have borrowed from them, if you are unable to pay the money back :
a loan secured on the house
••
WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent. (in the sense feeling no apprehension ): from Latin securus , from se- without + cura care.