English Reference
verb · noun · preposition · conjunction

save

v. · n. · prep. · conj.
US /ˈseɪv/ UK /sˈeɪv/ save UK spelling saves

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    v.to stop someone or something from being hurt, killed, or destroyed.

    v.to rescue someone or something from harm, danger, or destruction.

    Simple

    The brave lifeguard jumped into the water to save the struggling swimmer.

    In context

    The emergency services worked tirelessly through the night to save the historic building from the spreading wildfire.

  2. 02 A1 Beginner

    v.to keep money so that you can use it later.

    v.to accumulate money by spending less than one earns or by putting it aside for future use.

    Simple

    I am trying to save fifty dollars every month for my summer holiday.

    In context

    Financial advisors generally recommend that young professionals save at least fifteen percent of their monthly income for long-term retirement goals.

    Pitfall
    I am saving money for buy a car. I am saving money to buy a car.

    Use 'to' plus the infinitive to show the purpose of saving.

    economizehoardreserve
  3. 03 A2 Elementary Computing

    v.to make a computer keep your work so you do not lose it.

    v.to write data from a computer's temporary memory to a permanent storage medium.

    Simple

    Don't forget to save your document before you close the laptop.

    In context

    The software is configured to automatically save progress every five minutes to prevent data loss in the event of a system crash.

  4. 04 A2 Elementary

    v.to avoid using too much of something like time, energy, or space.

    v.to prevent the waste or unnecessary consumption of a resource.

    Simple

    Taking the motorway will save us at least twenty minutes on our trip.

    In context

    Installing solar panels and better insulation can save a significant amount of energy during the winter months.

  5. 05 B1 Intermediate Sport

    n.an act of stopping a ball from going into the goal.

    n.an instance of a goalkeeper preventing the opposing team from scoring a goal.

    Simple

    The goalkeeper made a brilliant save in the final minute of the match.

    In context

    The crowd erupted when the keeper pulled off a spectacular fingertip save, pushing the ball just wide of the post.

  6. 06 B1 Intermediate Informal Computing

    n.a file that records your progress in a game or computer program.

    n.a recorded state of a computer program or video game that allows a user to resume from that point.

    Simple

    I lost three hours of gameplay because my last save was corrupted.

    In context

    The latest patch allows players to transfer their manual saves between different gaming consoles using a cloud service.

    save filecheckpoint
  7. 07 C1 Advanced FormalLiterary

    prep.except for one person or thing.

    prep.excluding; with the exception of. Used to indicate that the following noun is the only exception to a statement.

    Simple

    The room was completely empty save for a single wooden chair.

    In context

    The entire board of directors voted in favour of the merger, save for the chairman, who remained unconvinced by the financial projections.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the noun or phrase it excludes.

  8. 08 C2 Proficiency ArchaicLiterary

    conj.except that; unless.

    conj.except that; used to introduce a clause that limits a previous statement.

    Simple

    I would have arrived on time, save that my train was delayed.

    In context

    Little is known of the poet's early life, save that he was born into a family of modest means in a small coastal village.

Don't confuse

save vs spend — Save is keeping resources for later, while spend is using them up now.

Usage save up to articles · save lives · save money

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Very common
Updated