# insecure

/ˈɪnsəkjɝ/ (US) · /ˌɪnsɪkjˈɔː/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/insecure
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. lacking self-confidence

adjective · CEFR B2

feeling anxious or not confident about yourself or your relationships.

For teachers: lacking self-confidence or assurance; prone to anxiety about one's worth or the stability of personal relationships.

- He felt insecure about his new job because he didn't have much experience.
- Despite her professional success, she remained deeply insecure about her public speaking abilities, often over-preparing for even the most casual presentations.

Usage: Often followed by the preposition 'about'.

### 2. not safe or stable

adjective · CEFR B2

not firmly fixed or safe; likely to break, fall, or fail.

For teachers: not firmly fixed, settled, or guarded; liable to give way, fail, or be compromised.

- The old wooden ladder felt very insecure as I climbed toward the roof.
- The hikers realized the mountain path was insecure after the heavy rains had washed away much of the supporting soil.

### 3. lacking protection

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

not protected against danger or attacks, especially in a digital or legal way.

For teachers: deficient in protection or safety measures; frequently used in technical contexts regarding data or financial stability.

- You should never enter your credit card details on an insecure website.
- The security audit revealed that several legacy servers were running insecure protocols, leaving the entire network vulnerable to external exploitation.

Usage: Commonly used to describe networks, connections, or financial positions.

## Examples

- He feels insecure about his new job.
- Many teenagers feel insecure about their appearance because of the perfect images they see on social media.
- The diplomat warned that the region's insecure borders made it difficult to prevent the illegal movement of goods and people across the mountain passes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.