secure
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to successfully get something, especially when it is difficult to find or win.
v.to succeed in obtaining or achieving something, especially after effort or competition.
Simple“The company managed to secure a major contract with the government.”
In context“After months of intense negotiation, the legal team finally managed to secure the funding required for the infrastructure project.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
v.to fasten something so that it does not move or fall.
v.to fasten or fix something firmly in position to prevent movement or loss.
Simple“Please secure your seatbelt before the plane takes off.”
In context“The climbers spent an hour ensuring the ropes were properly secured to the rock face before attempting the final ascent.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to make a place safe from attack or danger.
v.to make a location or system safe from intrusion, attack, or unauthorized access.
Simple“The police arrived quickly to secure the building after the alarm went off.”
In context“The IT department worked overnight to secure the network after a potential security breach was detected in the main server.”
- 04 B1 Intermediate
adj.safe and protected from harm or being stolen.
adj.protected against attack, theft, or other danger.
Simple“Keep your passport in a secure place while you are travelling.”
In context“The facility is highly secure, requiring biometric identification and multiple security clearances for entry into the research wing.”
Antonyms - 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.likely to continue and not fail; certain to happen.
adj.firmly established and unlikely to fail or change; assured.
Simple“He is looking for a secure job with a good pension.”
In context“Despite the economic downturn, the investment remains secure due to its diverse portfolio and long-term growth strategy.”
Antonyms - 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.feeling happy and confident about yourself or a situation.
adj.feeling confident and free from fear, anxiety, or doubt.
Simple“Children need to feel secure and loved by their parents.”
In context“Having a clear plan for the future helped her feel more secure about her career choices during the transition period.”
Usage secure access · secure work · secure food
“Second-half goals from Macaulay Gillesphey and Nick Powell were enough for last season’s play-off semi-finalists to secure three points.”
“Water companies in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - which are all public bodies or non-profit - also said they were taking steps to secure future supplies.”
Borrowed from Latin sēcūrus (“of persons, free from care, quiet, easy; in a bad sense, careless, reckless; of things, tranquil, also free from danger, safe, secure”), from sē- (“without”) + cūra (“care”); see cure. Doublet of sure and the now obsolete or dialectal sicker (“certain, safe”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.