Secured

sɪˈkjʊəd

verbmedium🔥Very CommonGeneral
2 meanings3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To protect against threat or risk of harm; to guarantee the safety of.

sɪˈkjʊə(r)

verbneutralmedium
General

To make something safe from harm or attack.

The guard secured the building after closing hours.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're building a fort to keep out monsters. 'Secured' means you've closed all the gaps and made it safe inside. Like when you lock your bike to a bike rack, you've secured it!

👶 For kids: To make something safe and protected.

More Examples

2

She secured her important documents in a safe.

3

They secured the necessary funding for their project.

How It's Used

Finance

"The company secured a loan from the bank."

Law Enforcement

"The police secured the crime scene."

Military

"Soldiers secured the perimeter."

2

To gain possession or control of something.

sɪˈkjʊə(r)

verbneutralmedium
General

To obtain or gain control of something.

She finally secured a job offer after months of searching.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to get tickets to a concert. If you manage to buy them, you've 'secured' them, meaning you've gotten them! Similar to winning a prize in a game.

👶 For kids: To get something you want or need.

More Examples

2

The team secured a win in the final game.

3

We secured reservations at the restaurant.

How It's Used

Business

"The company secured a contract with a major client."

Negotiation

"They secured an agreement after a long discussion."

Acquisition

"The museum secured the rare artifact."

Tip:Think of securing a victory in a game.

From Latin securus, meaning "safe, secure," from se- (without) + cura (care).

The word 'secure' has been used since the 16th century to describe safety and protection.

Memory tip

Think of 'secure' like locking your door to protect your house.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"safe, free from care"

secure a loansecure a jobsecure the areasecure the buildingsecure funding

Common misspellings

seccuredsecurred

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written