safe
gb/sˈeɪf/ us/sˈeɪf/
A1
English
~ 1300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A1
property
1
Free from harm or danger
Not in a place or situation where you can be hurt or in danger.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is safe
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'safe' with 'save'. 'Safe' describes a condition without danger; 'save' is an action to protect or rescue.
Synonyms
secure (Implies being protected against harm or attack, often with more emphasis on protection measures.)
Antonyms
dangerous (Means likely to cause harm, the opposite of safe.)
Collocations
safe place
|safe distance
|keep safe
|feel safe
|stay safe
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|safety
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- The children are safe inside the house.
- It’s safe to cross the street now.
- We felt safe during the storm because we were indoors.
- Make sure your valuables are safe while traveling.
Learner examples
- The baby is safe in her bed.
- You are safe here.
- I feel safe with my family.
- He is safe at home.
adjective
A2
property
2
Not harmful or risky
Not dangerous or harmful to people or things.
Usage pattern:
[something] is safe for [someone/something]
Synonyms
harmless (Emphasizes that something cannot cause harm at all.)
Antonyms
hazardous (Implies something can cause harm or danger, especially physically.)
Collocations
safe to eat
|safe to use
|safe for children
Themes
daily life
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This medicine is safe for most adults.
- The water is safe to drink.
- These toys are safe for children under three years old.
Learner examples
- The food is safe to eat.
- This tool is safe for kids.
- It is safe to touch the animal.
Noun
B1
entity
3
Strong box for valuables
A strong box or cabinet that locks and keeps money or valuable things safe.
Usage pattern:
put [something] in a safe
Synonyms
vault (Larger and often used in banks for storing many valuables.)
Antonyms
open box (An unsecured container without protection.)
Collocations
lock the safe
|open the safe
|safe deposit box
Themes
security
|business
|finance
|daily_life
Examples
- The jewels are kept in a safe at the bank.
- He forgot the combination to his home safe.
- They installed a new safe in their office.
Learner examples
- I keep my passport in a safe.
- The money is in the safe.
- The bank has a big safe.
adjective
B2
property
4
Certain to succeed or work well
Sure to work or succeed; not risky.
Usage pattern:
a safe [choice/bet/option]
Synonyms
reliable (Stresses dependability over lack of risk.)
Antonyms
risky (Suggests a high chance of failure or loss.)
Collocations
safe bet
|safe choice
|safe option
Themes
business
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|work
Examples
- Investing in government bonds is usually a safe bet.
- Choosing black shoes is a safe choice for the interview.
- It’s a safe option if you’re unsure what they like.
Learner examples
- It is a safe choice for dinner.
- Black is a safe color for clothes.
- This game is a safe bet to win.
adjective
A2
property
5
Unharmed after danger or accident
Not hurt or lost after something bad happens.
Synonyms
unharmed (Focuses on not being physically injured.)
Antonyms
injured (Physically harmed as a result of an event.)
Collocations
come back safe
|get home safe
Themes
emotions
|safety
|core_vocabulary
|health
Examples
- We were relieved to hear she was safe after the earthquake.
- He returned home safe and sound.
- All passengers are reported safe following the accident.
Learner examples
- She is safe after the fire.
- He came home safe from the trip.
- The kids are safe after the storm.
Grammar
Dictionary form
safe
IPA
GB/sˈeɪf/
US/sˈeɪf/
Syllables & stress
safe (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (safe)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: safe
- Comparative: safer
- Superlative: safest
Noun
- Base: safe
- Plural: safes
Word family
Expressions
better safe than sorry
1/bˈɛtɚ sˈeɪf ðən sˈɑɹi/
idiom
Take precautions to avoid regret later
It is better to be careful than to risk something bad happening.
Examples
- I always lock my doors—better safe than sorry.
- Bring an umbrella; better safe than sorry.
in safe hands
1/ˈɪn sˈeɪf hˈændz/
idiom
Cared for by someone trustworthy
Being looked after by someone who is good and careful at their job.
Examples
- Don't worry, your car is in safe hands with our mechanics.
- With her as your lawyer, you're in safe hands.
play it safe
1/plˈeɪ ˈɪt sˈeɪf/
idiom
avoid risk by being careful
To be careful and avoid taking risks.
Examples
- Let's play it safe and take an umbrella.
- I decided to play it safe and take the train instead of driving in the snow.
- He decided to play it safe and invest in bonds.
- He played it safe by investing in low-risk funds.
safe and sound
1/sˈeɪf ˈænd sˈaʊnd/
fixed phrase
Unharmed after danger or risk
Not hurt or damaged after something dangerous happened.
Examples
- After the long journey, we arrived home safe and sound.
- The missing hikers were found safe and sound.
safe and sound
2/sˈeɪf ˈænd sˈaʊnd/
fixed phrase
Unharmed after danger or trouble
Not hurt and okay after being in danger.
Examples
- They arrived home safe and sound after the storm.
- The missing child was found safe and sound.
safe haven
1/sˈeɪf hˈeɪvən/
fixed phrase
Place of protection from danger or trouble
A place where you are protected from danger or trouble.
Examples
- The library became a safe haven during the storm.
- The country became a safe haven for people fleeing the conflict.
- Refugees found a safe haven across the border.
- Online platforms are not always a safe haven for children.
- The new law aims to make the city a safe haven for small businesses.