insecure
gb/ˈɪnsəkjɚ/ us/ˈɪnsəkjɚ/
B1
Inglés
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adjective
B1
property
1
lacking confidence; unsure of yourself
Not feeling confident about yourself.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] feels insecure (about [something])
Error frecuente:
Do not confuse insecure with insured (protected by insurance).
Sinónimos
self-conscious (Focuses on being overly aware of others’ opinions.)
|
uncertain (More general; not sure what to think or do.)
|
lacking confidence (Direct and neutral description.)
Antónimos
confident (Sure of yourself and your abilities.)
|
secure (Emotionally steady and not worried about being judged.)
Colocaciones
feel insecure
|be insecure
|insecure about your looks
|insecure about your English
|deeply insecure
|socially insecure
|make [someone] feel insecure
|insecure teenager
|insecure person
|insecure feelings
Temas
emotions
|relationships
|mental_health
|daily_life
Ejemplos
- He felt insecure about his accent in meetings.
- She can seem outgoing, but she’s actually quite insecure.
- Don’t let one bad grade make you insecure about your abilities.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I feel insecure about my speaking.
- He is insecure sometimes.
adjective
B2
property
2
not stable; not guaranteed
Not stable or not certain to continue.
Patrón de uso:
an insecure [job/income/future/position]
Error frecuente:
Insecure job means ‘not stable,’ not ‘unsafe’ (though it can be both in some contexts).
Sinónimos
unstable (Emphasizes frequent change or lack of solidity.)
|
precarious (More formal; suggests serious risk.)
|
uncertain (Focuses on not knowing what will happen.)
Antónimos
secure (Stable and likely to continue.)
|
stable (Not likely to change suddenly.)
Colocaciones
insecure job
|insecure employment
|insecure income
|insecure housing
|insecure future
|insecure position
|financially insecure
|make [something] insecure
|remain insecure
|insecure contract
Temas
work
|money
|housing
|daily_life
Ejemplos
- After the merger, his job felt insecure.
- Many renters live with insecure housing and short leases.
- The team’s lead looked insecure after two quick mistakes.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- My job is insecure right now.
- Their future feels insecure.
adjective
B2
property
3
not safe; vulnerable to danger
Not safe; dangerous.
Patrón de uso:
an insecure [area/border/situation]
Error frecuente:
Insecure does not mean ‘not sure’; in this sense it means ‘unsafe.’
Sinónimos
unsafe (Most direct everyday synonym.)
|
dangerous (Stronger; highlights risk of harm.)
|
unstable (Often used for countries/regions; implies likely unrest.)
Antónimos
safe (Not likely to cause harm.)
|
secure (Protected from attack or danger.)
Colocaciones
insecure area
|insecure neighborhood
|insecure border
|insecure region
|insecure environment
|politically insecure
|militarily insecure
|increasingly insecure
|remain insecure
|make [a place] insecure
Temas
safety
|politics
|travel
|news
Ejemplos
- The roads are insecure at night, so we stayed in town.
- Aid groups left after the region became too insecure.
- She avoided the park because it felt insecure after dark.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- This area is insecure at night.
- The situation is insecure.
adjective
technical
B2
property
4
not protected against hacking
Not safe from being hacked or accessed by others.
Patrón de uso:
an insecure [password/network/website/connection]
Error frecuente:
In tech contexts, insecure describes weak protection (not a person’s feelings).
Sinónimos
vulnerable (Emphasizes that it can be attacked or exploited.)
|
unprotected (Highlights missing or weak safeguards.)
Antónimos
secure (Well protected against access or attack.)
|
encrypted (Specifically protected by encryption (not identical but often related).)
Colocaciones
insecure password
|insecure network
|insecure connection
|insecure website
|insecure protocol
|insecure Wi‑Fi
|insecure system
|insecure configuration
|insecure settings
|insecure app
Temas
technology
|internet
|security
|business
Ejemplos
- Using the same password everywhere is insecure.
- The browser warned that the connection was insecure.
- They fixed an insecure setting that exposed customer data.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- This password is insecure.
- The site says the connection is insecure.
adjective
B2
property
5
not firmly fixed or held
Not fixed strongly; easy to move or fall.
Patrón de uso:
an insecure [ladder/handrail/rope/hold]
Error frecuente:
For physical objects, insecure means ‘not firm,’ not ‘unsafe feelings.’
Sinónimos
loose (Not tightly fastened; can move.)
|
unsteady (Not stable; likely to wobble.)
|
wobbly (Informal; emphasizes shaking movement.)
Antónimos
firm (Strongly fixed; not moving.)
|
secure (Properly fastened or held in place.)
Colocaciones
insecure ladder
|insecure handrail
|insecure footing
|insecure grip
|insecure hold
|insecure fastening
|insecure load
|insecure attachment
|make [something] insecure
|seem insecure
Temas
daily_life
|home
|safety
Ejemplos
- The ladder felt insecure on the wet ground.
- One screw was missing, so the shelf was insecure.
- He stopped climbing when his footing became insecure.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The ladder is insecure.
- The shelf is insecure.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
insecure
AFI
GB/ˈɪnsəkjɚ/
US/ˈɪnsəkjɚ/
Sílabas y acento
in - sec - ure (3 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (in)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: insecure
Familia de palabras
Core family
Related words
securely
adverb B2
insecurely
adverb B2
Expresiones
an insecure connection
1/ən ˈɪnsəkjɚ kənˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
internet link not protected
A connection that is not safe from being watched or attacked.
Ejemplos
- Don’t enter your card details on an insecure connection.
- The app refused to connect because the connection was insecure.
- Public Wi‑Fi can be an insecure connection.
an insecure job
1/ən ˈɪnsəkjɚ d͡ʒˈɑb/
fixed phrase
job not likely to last
A job that may not continue.
Ejemplos
- He left an insecure job for a permanent role.
- Insecure jobs make it hard to plan for the future.
- Many young workers start out in insecure jobs.
an insecure password
1/ən ˈɪnsəkjɚ pˈæswˌɚd/
fixed phrase
technical
password easy to guess
A password that is not safe.
Ejemplos
- ‘123456’ is an insecure password.
- The site warned me that I was using an insecure password.
- Using your name as a password is insecure.
be insecure about [something]
1/bˈi ˈɪnsəkjɚ əbˈaʊt sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
not confident about something
To lack confidence about something.
Ejemplos
- He’s insecure about his writing, so he avoids sharing it.
- She’s insecure about making mistakes in front of others.
- They’re both insecure about where the relationship is going.
feel insecure about [something]
1/fˈil ˈɪnsəkjɚ əbˈaʊt sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
worry you are not good enough
To not feel confident about something.
Ejemplos
- He feels insecure about his height.
- I used to feel insecure about my English, but I’m improving.
- She felt insecure about starting a new job.
insecure about the relationship
1/ˈɪnsəkjɚ əbˈaʊt ðə ɹilˈeɪʃənʃˌɪp/
fixed phrase
uncertain or anxious in love
Worried the relationship is not strong or stable.
Ejemplos
- He felt insecure about the relationship after they stopped talking as much.
- She’s insecure about the relationship and needs more reassurance.
- They became insecure about the relationship when plans kept changing.