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secure definition

se·cure (si kyo̵or′)

adjective

  1. free from fear, care, doubt, or anxiety; not worried, troubled, or apprehensive
  2. free from danger; not exposed to damage, attack, etc.; safe
  3. in safekeeping or custody
  4. not likely to fail or give way; firm; strong; stable to make a knot secure
  5. reliable; dependable a secure investment
  6. Archaic overconfident and careless

Etymology: L securus < se-, free from, apart (see secede) + cura, care: see cure

transitive verb secured -·cured′, securing -·cur′·ing

  1. to make secure, or safe; guard; protect to secure a position against attack
  2. to make sure or certain; guarantee; ensure, as with a pledge to secure a loan with collateral
    1. to make firm, fast, tight, etc. secure the bolt
    2. to put under restraint; tie up
  4. to get hold or possession of; obtain; acquire to secure aid
  5. to take into custody; capture
  6. to bring about; cause to secure a laugh
  7. Naut. to bring to a halt; stop

intransitive verb

  1. to give security a policy that secures against loss
  2. Naut. to stop working: said of personnel

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

secure Synonyms

secure

modif.

  1. Firm

    fastened, adjusted, bound; see firm 1, tight 1.

  2. Safe

    guarded, unharmed, defended; see protected, safe 1.

  3. Self-confident

    assured, solid, determined, confident, strong, stable, sound, steady, steadfast, reliable, able, resolute. See syn. study at safe.safe.


secure

v.

  1. To fasten

    settle, adjust, bind; see fasten 1, tighten 1.

  2. To obtain

    achieve, acquire, grasp; see obtain 1.

  3. To protect

    guard, make safe, ensure; see defend 1, 2. See syn. study at obtain.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

secure Usage Examples

Object

  • funding: We hope in the future we will finally secure lottery funding for Bedford.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • keep: Remember not to staple your pages together, keep everything secure with a paper clip.

Modifies a noun

  • server: You will then be prompted to a secure server to finish your credit card purchase.

Modifying Another Word

  • financially: By supporting the OAE, you can help us plan for the future and remain financially secure.

Used with adjective complement

  • feel: You may not feel secure, caught up in the tornado of the world.

Preposition: in

  • knowledge: Our company culture of customer service ensures that our clients are always secure in the knowledge that their systems are being well looked after.

Preposition: with

  • tape: You will need to secure with tape or glue.
secure usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

secure quotes

No Government can be long secure without a formidable Opposition.

-Disraeli, Benjamin, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield

   He has out-soared the shadow of our night; Envyand calumnyand hate and pain, And that unrest which men miscall delight, Can touch him not and torture not again; From the contagion of the world's slow stain He is secure, and now can never mourn A heart grown cold, a head grown grey in vain.

-Shelley, Percy Bysshe

secure quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"secure." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 3 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/secure>

APA Style

secure. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 3rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/secure

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