English Reference

Word

secure

Phoneticsse·cure, stress on the second syllable

US/sɪkˈjʊɹ/

UK/sɪkjˈɔː/

Definitions

01to obtain or get

B2 · Upper Intermediate Academic

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.

“The company managed to secure a major contract with the government.”

“After months of intense negotiation, the legal team finally managed to secure the funding required for the infrastructure project.”

Antonyms

02to fix firmly

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.

“Please secure your seatbelt before the plane takes off.”

“The climbers spent an hour ensuring the ropes were properly secured to the rock face before attempting the final ascent.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

03to protect

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.

“The police arrived quickly to secure the building after the alarm went off.”

“The IT department worked overnight to secure the network after a potential security breach was detected in the main server.”

Antonyms

04safe from danger

B1 · Intermediate

adj. safe and protected from harm or being stolen.

adj. protected against attack, theft, or other danger.

“Keep your passport in a secure place while you are travelling.”

“The facility is highly secure, requiring biometric identification and multiple security clearances for entry into the research wing.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

05stable or certain

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. likely to continue and not fail; certain to happen.

adj. firmly established and unlikely to fail or change; assured.

“He is looking for a secure job with a good pension.”

“Despite the economic downturn, the investment remains secure due to its diverse portfolio and long-term growth strategy.”

06confident

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. feeling happy and confident about yourself or a situation.

adj. feeling confident and free from fear, anxiety, or doubt.

“Children need to feel secure and loved by their parents.”

“Having a clear plan for the future helped her feel more secure about her career choices during the transition period.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “secure” in context.

Verb

01. secure a loan

“The small business owner managed to secure a loan from the bank to expand her shop.”

verb + noun

02. secure a victory

“The team played exceptionally well in the final minutes to secure a victory.”

verb + noun

03. secure the area

“Police officers arrived quickly to secure the area after the accident occurred.”

verb + noun

04. securely fasten the belt

“Please ensure you securely fasten the belt before the ride begins.”

adv + verb + noun

Adjective

05. financially secure

“After years of saving, they finally felt financially secure enough to retire.”

adv + adj

06. secure about the future

“The new government policy made many citizens feel more secure about the future.”

adj + prep + noun

Preposition

07. in a secure location

“The confidential documents are kept in a secure location within the building.”

prep + adj + noun

Real-World Examples

“Second-half goals from Macaulay Gillesphey and Nick Powell were enough for last season’s play-off semi-finalists to secure three points.”
The Guardian 15 Aug 2026
“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.”
BBC News 7 Aug 2026

Etymology

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.

Word family

VERB

secure(B2)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Common
Level
B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
Updated

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