Secure

/sɪˈkjʊər/

adjectiveBeginner🔥Very CommonSafety
3 meanings3 idioms/phrases4 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

Protected from or not exposed to danger or risk; safe.

/sɪˈkjʊər/

adjectivepositiveBeginner
Safety

Free from danger or threat.

The vault is designed to keep valuables secure.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing hide-and-seek, and you find the perfect spot where nobody can find you. That's secure! It means safe and protected. Like when you lock your doors at night; you want your home to be secure.

👶 For kids: Being safe and protected from bad things.

More Examples

2

The border is not secure because there are too few patrols.

3

Make sure the lid on the container is secure.

How It's Used

General

"The house has a secure lock system."

Finance

"The bank offers secure investments."

2

To protect or defend against danger or attack.

/sɪˈkjʊər/

verbneutralmedium
Action

To protect from harm or danger.

They took steps to secure their financial assets.

💡 Simply: Think of locking your phone with a password or code to keep your information safe. That's a way to secure your data. Basically, to secure something means to make sure it's safe and protected.

👶 For kids: To make something safe.

More Examples

2

The soldiers secured the perimeter.

3

Can you secure the tent poles before the wind picks up?

4

Please secure your seatbelt.

How It's Used

Information Technology

"The company needs to secure its network from hackers."

General

"The police are working to secure the area."

Tip:Imagine reinforcing a door with a deadbolt – you secure it.
3

To succeed in obtaining or achieving something.

/sɪˈkjʊər/

verbpositivemedium
Achievement

To obtain or get something.

They secured the funding for the project.

💡 Simply: Imagine you really want to get tickets to a concert and you manage to buy them before they sell out. That means you have secured the tickets. It means you got something you wanted, usually by working for it.

👶 For kids: To get something you really want.

More Examples

2

The team secured a victory in the final game.

3

He managed to secure a scholarship for college.

How It's Used

Business

"The company secured a major contract."

General

"She finally secured a place in the university."

Tip:Think of finally capturing the winning prize - you've secured it.

Idioms & expressions

secure a loan

To obtain a loan from a financial institution or lender.

"They needed to secure a loan to start their business."

secure your belongings

To take measures to protect one's personal possessions from theft or damage.

"Before leaving the hotel, secure your belongings in the safe."

secure the bag

To obtain money or financial success.

"She's working hard to secure the bag and start her own company."

From Latin *securus* 'free from care, safe', from *se* 'without' + *cura* 'care'.

The word 'secure' has been used since the 15th century and originally meant 'free from care or anxiety'.

Memory tip

Think of a fortress with strong walls – secure.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"securus (free from care, safe)"

secure a loansecure the areasecure the perimetersecure the buildingsecure againstsecure fromsecure in

Common misspellings

seccuresecursekure

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written