sav
Very HighNeutral (used across all registers)
Definition
Meaning
To rescue, keep safe, or preserve from harm, loss, or destruction.
To accumulate or set aside money or resources for future use; in computing, to store data; in sports, to prevent an opponent from scoring or winning.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The core sense implies preventing an undesirable outcome. It carries positive connotations of rescue, thrift, or protection. The sports sense is a specific technical extension.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling in derivatives ('saviour' vs. 'savior'). The sports term ('save' by a goalkeeper) is identical. The verb 'to save up (for)' is slightly more frequent in UK English.
Connotations
Largely identical. In religious contexts, 'Saviour' (UK) / 'Savior' (US) is capitalised when referring to Christ.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
save + NP (save the children)save + NP + from + NP/Gerund (save him from drowning)save + for + NP (save money for a car)save + NP + NP (save me a seat)save + on + NP (save on electricity)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Save your skin”
- “Save the day”
- “A stitch in time saves nine”
- “Save face”
- “Save for a rainy day”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to cost reduction, efficiency gains, and financial reserves (e.g., 'We need to save on overheads').
Academic
Used in discussions of conservation, historical preservation, and data management.
Everyday
Common for discussing money, time, effort, and rescuing situations or objects.
Technical
In computing, the command to write data to a storage device; in sports, a goalkeeper's action.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I need to save for my holiday to Spain.
- The lifeguard saved the swimmer from the strong current.
- Don't forget to save your work before closing the programme.
American English
- I need to save up for my vacation to Florida.
- The firefighter saved the family from the burning building.
- Remember to save your document before you exit the software.
adverb
British English
- (Rare, formal/poetic 'save for' meaning 'except for') The room was empty, save for an old chair.
American English
- (Rare, formal/poetic 'save for' meaning 'except for') All was quiet, save for the sound of crickets.
adjective
British English
- (Only as past participle, e.g., 'saved data') The saved game file was corrupted.
- (In compounds, e.g., 'energy-saving') We bought energy-saving lightbulbs.
American English
- (Only as past participle, e.g., 'saved file') The saved document is on the desktop.
- (In compounds, e.g., 'time-saving') It's a great time-saving device.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I save money in my piggy bank.
- Can you save me a piece of cake?
- Save some water for your sister.
- We're trying to save on our heating bills this winter.
- The new software update will save you a lot of time.
- He made a brilliant save in the last minute of the game.
- The government's intervention saved the company from bankruptcy.
- She diligently saves a portion of her salary every month as an investment.
- This shortcut won't save you any significant effort in the long run.
- The diplomat's deft negotiation saved the two nations from the brink of war.
- The novel's intricate plot is saved from confusion by the author's masterful prose.
- He managed to save face by gracefully acknowledging his team's contribution to the error.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SAFE. To SAVE something is to put it in a SAFE place.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A RESOURCE TO BE GUARDED (save up); TIME IS A RESOURCE TO BE GUARDED (save time); RESCUE IS A TRANSFER TO SAFETY (save from fire).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'safe' (adjective) = безопасный, надежный. 'Save' is the verb.
- The computing term 'save' is not 'сохранить' in the sense of 'keep a secret', but 'сохранить (файл)'.
- The sports term 'save' (вратарский сейв) is a direct loanword.
- 'Save up' implies gradual accumulation, not a one-time action.
Common Mistakes
- *I saved him to fall. (Correct: I saved him from falling.)
- *I'm saving for buy a car. (Correct: I'm saving to buy a car / I'm saving for a car.)
- Confusing 'save' (rescue) with 'safe' (out of danger).
Practice
Quiz
In the phrase 'save for a rainy day', what does 'save' most closely mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a regular verb: save - saved - saved.
They are often synonyms, but 'rescue' typically implies a more immediate, dramatic action from imminent danger (e.g., from a fire, mountain). 'Save' has a wider range of uses, including money, time, and computing.
Yes, primarily in sports (a goalkeeper's save) and computing (the act of saving a file).
It means to record your current progress in the game to a file on the storage device, so you can stop playing and continue from that point later.