secure
B2 (High-frequency, academic and professional contexts)Formal to neutral. Less common in casual speech than 'safe' or 'get'.
Definition
Meaning
Free from danger or risk; certain to remain safe and unthreatened.
To obtain or achieve something, often after effort; to make something safe or fasten it firmly; financially safe or stable.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Functions as both adjective and verb. As an adjective, it often describes systems, feelings, or positions. As a verb, it can mean 'to obtain' (a deal, funding) or 'to fasten' (a door, object). The meaning is highly context-dependent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal semantic difference. 'Secure' as a verb meaning 'to fasten' is slightly more formal in both varieties. The pronunciation differs.
Connotations
In both, carries connotations of professionalism, reliability, and intentional safety measures. In security/military contexts, identical.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American business and political jargon (e.g., 'secure the border', 'secure a deal').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Secure + NP (He secured the door.)Secure + NP + for + NP (She secured a ticket for me.)Secure + NP + against/from + NP (We secured the network against attacks.)Be/Feel secure + in + NP (He feels secure in his job.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A safe and secure environment”
- “To secure one's place in history”
- “To have a secure hold on something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to obtaining contracts, funding, or stable financial status. 'The company secured a major investment.'
Academic
Used in psychology (secure attachment), computer science (secure network), and social sciences (secure institutions).
Everyday
Often describes feelings, locks on doors, or online transactions. 'Make sure the ladder is secure.'
Technical
In IT: data encryption and access control. In engineering: physical fastening and stability.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please ensure you secure all windows before leaving.
- The team worked hard to secure funding for the community centre.
- He managed to secure the rope to the post.
American English
- We need to secure the premises after hours.
- The senator is trying to secure votes for the bill.
- She secured a great internship for the summer.
adverb
British English
- The cargo was stored securely in the hold.
- The door was locked securely behind them.
- Data is held securely on encrypted servers.
American English
- Make sure the lid is on securely.
- Your information is processed securely.
- The boat was tied securely to the dock.
adjective
British English
- The building has a secure entry system.
- After years of saving, they now have a secure retirement.
- Children need to feel secure and loved.
American English
- Use a secure password for your online banking.
- He has a secure job in the public sector.
- Is this wifi connection secure?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The gate is not secure. Please close it.
- I feel secure at home.
- She secured her bicycle with a lock.
- Online banking must be secure to protect your money.
- They finally secured a flat in the city centre.
- Check that the ladder is secure before climbing.
- The government aims to secure the country's energy supply for the future.
- A secure attachment in childhood influences adult relationships.
- The deal was secured after months of negotiation.
- The protocol was designed to secure communications against sophisticated interception.
- Her position on the board seems secure for now, despite the recent controversy.
- Investors are seeking assets perceived as a secure store of value during volatile markets.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SEE-CURE' – when you *see* a *cure* for a problem, you feel SAFE and can OBTAIN peace of mind.
Conceptual Metaphor
SECURITY IS A CONTAINER / A SHIELD (e.g., 'a secure perimeter', 'secure from harm'). OBTAINING IS CAPTURING/SECURING (e.g., 'secure a deal').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с русским 'секундный' (second).
- Как глагол 'secure' часто означает 'добиться', 'получить', а не только 'обезопасить'. (Например, 'secure a job' – получить работу).
- Прилагательное 'secure' шире, чем 'безопасный'; включает значение 'надёжный, стабильный' (secure income – стабильный доход).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'secure' as a common verb for 'get' in informal contexts (Incorrect: 'I'll secure some milk from the shop.').
- Confusing 'secure' with 'safe'. 'Secure' implies active measures, 'safe' is a state. (A 'secure' website has encryption; a 'safe' neighborhood has low crime).
- Misspelling as 'secur' or 'secuire'.
- Incorrect preposition: 'secure of' instead of 'secure from/against'.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence does 'secure' mean 'to obtain'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is neutral to formal. In everyday speech, people often use simpler synonyms like 'safe' (adj.) or 'get' or 'fasten' (verb).
'Safe' describes a state of being free from harm. 'Secure' often implies that specific measures have been taken to *create* that safety (e.g., locks, encryption, guarantees). A room can be safe (no danger present) but not secure (easily entered).
Yes, commonly. 'Feeling secure' means feeling confident, stable, and free from anxiety or threat, often in a relationship, job, or environment.
The main noun forms are 'security' (the state of being secure) and 'securing' (the action of making something secure).