secure meaning
secure :
safe, protected
adjective
▪ The house is secure.
▪ The house is safe.
▪ She feels secure in her job.
▪ She feels safe in her job.
paraphrasing
▪ safe – protected
▪ guarded – watched over
▪ protected – kept from harm
▪ defended – shielded from attack
secure :
to make safe, to protect
verb
▪ They secure the building every night.
▪ They make the building safe every night.
▪ She secured a loan from the bank.
▪ She got a loan from the bank.
paraphrasing
▪ protect – to keep safe
▪ lock – to fasten securely
▪ ensure – to make certain
▪ guarantee – to promise safety
Pronunciation
secure [sɪˈkjʊər]
The stress is on 'cure' and sounds like 'si-kyoor'.
Common phrases and grammar about secure
secure - Common meaning
adjective
safe, protected
verb
to make safe, to protect
Part of Speech Changes for "secure"
▪ security (noun) – safety, protection
▪ securely (adverb) – in a safe way
▪ security (adjective) – related to safety
▪ insecure (adjective) – not safe or certain
Common Expressions with "secure"
▪ secure a position – get a job
▪ secure funding – get money for a project
▪ secure the area – make a place safe
▪ secure a deal – finalize an agreement
Important examples of secure in TOEIC
Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test
In TOEIC vocabulary questions, secure is often used to mean 'to make safe' or 'to obtain'.
Example of a confusing word: insure (to provide insurance)
Grammar examples from the TOEIC test
Secure is used in grammar questions to differentiate between its adjective and verb forms.
secure
Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC
secure a foothold
means 'to establish a strong position', used in business contexts.
under lock and key
means 'kept very secure', used for things that are very protected.
Differences between similar words and secure
secure
,
protect
differences
Secure means to make safe or obtain, while protect means to keep safe from harm.
secure
,
lock
differences
Secure can mean to make safe or obtain, while lock specifically means to fasten securely.
Words with the same origin as secure
The origin of secure
secure comes from the Latin 'securus', meaning 'without care' or 'safe'.
Word structure
It has the prefix se (without), root cur (care), and means 'without care'.
Words with the same origin
The root of secure is cur (care). Words with the same root include cure (to heal), curious (eager to know), accurate (correct).
