Safe vs secure

Question

Pls clarify the correct usage of "Safe" and "Secure". It seems to me that these 2 words mean "out of danger".

Usenet · Accepted Answer

[nq:1]Pls clarify the correct usage of "Safe" and "Secure". It seems to me that these 2 words mean "out of danger".[/nq]
They mean a variety of things, depending on whether you use them as nouns or adjectives.
safe

noun
a strong box or cupboard with special locks where valuable things, especially money or jewels, are kept:
Thieves broke into/cracked (=3D opened by force) the safe and stole everything in it.
adjective -
safe (WITHOUT DANGER)
adjective
1 not in danger or likely to be harmed:

In some cities you don't feel safe going out alone at night.
2 not dangerous or likely to cause harm:

a safe play-area for children
a safe driver
That ladder doesn't look safe.
She wished us a safe journey.
Is this medicine safe for children?
It's safe to cross the road now.
3 not harmed or damaged:

She said that all the hostages were safe.
4 describes things which do not involve any risk:

I think we should go for the safest option (=3D the one that involves the least risks).
He never usually remembers my birthday, so it's a safe bet (=3D I am certain) he'll forget again this time!
5 If an official position in parliament is safe, it is likely to bewon by the political party which has won it at previous elections: a safe Conservative seat
secure

secure (PROTECTED)
adjective
(especially of objects, situations etc.) able to avoid being harmed by any risk, danger or threat:
Car manufacturers ought to produce vehicles which are more secure against theft.
Endangered species need to be kept secure from poachers.

secure
verb
to make certain something is protected from danger or risk: The building has only one main entrance and would be easy to secure (against/from intruders).
This form of investment is an excellent way of securing your children's financial future.
secure (FIXED)
adjective
1 positioned or fixed firmly and correctly and therefore not likely tomove, fall or break:
That ladder doesn't look very secure to me.
Check that all windows and doors are secure.
FIGURATIVE Her promotion has made her position in the company more secure.
FIGURATIVE The museum has been promised =A322 million by the government, so its future is relatively secure.
2 A secure place is one that it is difficult to get out of or escapefrom:
He killed the man just a month after his release from a secure mental hospital.
secure
verb
to fasten one object firmly to another:
The gate won't stay open, so we'll have to secure it to that post.

secure (OBTAIN)
verb
to get something, sometimes with difficulty:
He was disappointed by his failure to secure the top job with the bank.
The change in the law will make it harder for the police to secure convictions.
secure (CONFIDENT)
adjective
having few worries or doubts about yourself and your personal relationships:
Children need to feel secure in order to do well at school.

secure (FINANCIAL)
verb
to make certain that money which has been lent will be paid back, by giving the person who lends the money the right to own property belonging to the person who borrows it, if the money is not paid back: a secured loan
Her bank loan is secured against/by/on her house.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]They mean a variety of things, depending on whether you use them as nouns or adjectives.[/nq]
Or verbs.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:1]Pls clarify the correct usage of "Safe" and "Secure". It seems to me that these 2 words mean "out of danger".[/nq]
I presumed you were using them as adjectives, and since "out of danger" is an adjective phrase, that just confirms my presumption.

If you had an example of a sentence in which you wanted to use one of these, please just tell us, because it is very difficult to write a whole essay, and frustrating to do so and find out later that you had a different sub-question in mind.
And generally I think people should learn these fine distinctions the way I did, but reading and listening, to people, newspapers, books, radio, tv, and movies.
But generatlly I would say that wrt to the meaning that they share, people are safe and property is secure. But property can also be safe, and with a different meaning, people can be secure.

If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM :-)

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]Pls clarify the correct usage of "Safe" and "Secure". It seems to me that these 2 words mean "out of danger".[/nq]
[nq:1]I presumed you were using them as adjectives, and since "out of danger" is an adjective phrase, that just confirms ... a different meaning, people can be secure. If you are inclined to email me for some reason, remove NOPSAM :-)[/nq]
Many thanks for your reply. Yes. I just like to know the distinction of the
actual usages for these 2 words as adjectives only. In the book of "Let's Go, The
Budget Guide to Central America", the author mentioned "Safety and Security"
as a special topic. I tried to catch the exact difference of these 2 words. It seemed
that "safe" referred to the traveller's body, while "secure" to property/luggage/money.
Your further comments will be appreciated.

Usenet · Answer

[nq:2]I presumed you were using them as adjectives, and since ... safe, and with a different meaning, people can be secure.[/nq]
[nq:1]Many thanks for your reply. Yes. I just like to know the distinction of the actual usages for these 2 ... the exact difference of these 2 words. It seemed that "safe" referred to the traveller's body, while "secure" to property/luggage/money.[/nq]
That's what I said.
But it would have been helpful to everyone if you had given the context in the first place. Then people wouldn't have to give a long essay hoping to cover the usage youre interested in.
[nq:1]Your further comments will be appreciated.[/nq]
That was it. On the topic, you only get one bite of the apple. That's the way most usenet posters are.
If you are inclined to email me
for some reason, remove NOPSAM :-)

Safe vs secure

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