safety
gb/sˈeɪfti/ us/sˈeɪfti/
A2
English
~ 1200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
state
1
Being protected from harm
When someone or something is away from danger or harm.
Usage pattern:
[someone's] safety
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'safety' with 'safe'. 'Safety' is a noun, while 'safe' is an adjective.
Synonyms
security (Often refers to protection from intentional threats, while 'safety' can include protection from accidents.)
Antonyms
danger (Refers to the presence of risk or threat, the opposite of safety.)
Collocations
public safety
|safety measures
|safety concerns
|safety standards
|ensure safety
Themes
daily life
|health
|security
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Wearing a helmet can improve your safety while cycling.
- The company takes employee safety very seriously.
- Parents worry about the safety of their children at school.
- For your own safety, please stay behind the barrier.
Learner examples
- A seat belt helps your safety in a car.
- We care about your safety.
- Safety is important at work.
- The police work for public safety.
Noun
technical
B1
entity
2
Device preventing danger
A part of a machine or tool that stops it from working in a dangerous way.
Usage pattern:
the safety on [something]
Synonyms
safety mechanism (A more technical term for a device that prevents danger.)
Antonyms
trigger (In firearms, the part that initiates firing; opposite in function to a safety.)
Collocations
safety catch
|safety switch
|release the safety
Themes
technology
|security
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Make sure the safety is on before handling the gun.
- The machine has an automatic safety to stop overheating.
- He forgot to release the safety before trying to fire.
Learner examples
- The gun has a safety to stop accidents.
- Turn off the safety before you use it.
- The safety is easy to use.
Noun
A2
entity
3
Safe place or situation
A place or time when you are not in danger.
Usage pattern:
to [someone's] safety
Synonyms
refuge (Emphasizes shelter and protection, often from danger or persecution.)
Antonyms
exposure (Being in an unprotected state where harm is possible.)
Collocations
reach safety
|seek safety
|run to safety
Themes
daily life
|security
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They ran to the safety of the house during the storm.
- The hikers reached the safety of their camp before nightfall.
- She longed for the safety of her hometown.
Learner examples
- We ran to safety inside the building.
- He found safety in his friend's home.
- She reached safety after the flood.
Noun
technical
B2
event
4
Two-point football score
In American football, when the other team has the ball in their end zone and it stops there, giving you two points.
Synonyms
two-point score (Describes the point value without specifying the play type.)
Collocations
score a safety
Themes
sports
Examples
- The defense scored a safety in the third quarter.
- A bad snap led to a safety for the other team.
- They won by one point because of that safety.
Learner examples
- They got two points for a safety.
- The team scored a safety in the game.
- A safety can change the score quickly.
Grammar
Dictionary form
safety
IPA
GB/sˈeɪfti/
US/sˈeɪfti/
Syllables & stress
safety (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (safety)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: safety
- Plural: safeties, safety
Word family
Expressions
for your own safety
1/fɚ jˈʊɹ ˈoʊn sˈeɪfti/
fixed phrase
To protect yourself from danger
Used to tell someone to do something so they will not get hurt or be in danger.
Examples
- For your own safety, please wear a helmet.
- Stay indoors for your own safety during the storm.
in safety
1/ˈɪn sˈeɪfti/
fixed phrase
Protected from harm or danger
When you are somewhere safe and away from danger.
Examples
- The children played in safety behind the fence.
- They finally arrived home in safety.
safety first
1/sˈeɪfti fˈɚst/
fixed phrase
Put safety before all else
Used to say that avoiding danger is more important than anything else.
Examples
- Remember, safety first when operating heavy machinery.
- Safety first—don’t take unnecessary risks.
to be on the safe side
1/tə bˈi ˈɔn ðə sˈeɪf sˈaɪd/
idiom
informal
Take extra precautions just in case
To be extra careful so nothing bad happens, even if it's not likely.
Examples
- Bring an umbrella to be on the safe side.
- I locked all the doors, just to be on the safe side.