adv · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
Received-Pronunciation:/səˈkjʊə.li/
Received-Pronunciation:/səˈkjɔː.li/
General-American:/səˈkjʊɹ.li/
General-American:/səˈkjɝ.li/
General-American:/səˈkjɔɹ.li/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:S IH0 K Y UH1 R L IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adv
Meaning 1
In a secure manner; without fear or apprehension; without danger.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: manner
Examples
Check all personal items are securely stowed in the overhead lockers.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: safely
Antonyms: none provided
2
adverb
Meaning 2
in a secure manner; in a manner free from danger
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
she held the child securely
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: firmly
Antonyms: none provided
3
adverb
Meaning 3
in an invulnerable manner
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the agreed line was to involve at several points the withdrawal of French troops from positions which they had quite securely held
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
4
adverb
Meaning 4
in a manner free from fear or risk
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
the outcome of expansion in the sixties and seventies will be an academic hierarchy securely supported by scholastic selection
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: insecurely
5
adverb
Meaning 5
in a confident and unselfconscious manner
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
he acts very securely in front of the camera
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: insecurely
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English secure Middle English -ly English -ly English securely From secure + -ly.
Across languages
Translations
18 source translations are retained for this English entry.
French:
en sécurité
— in a secure manner
French:
solidement
— in a secure manner
French:
fermement
— in a secure manner
German:
sicher
— in a secure manner
Gothic:
𐌰𐍂𐌽𐌹𐌱𐌰
(arniba)
— in a secure manner
Latin:
tūtō
— in a secure manner
Norwegian:
sikkert
— in a secure manner
Polish:
bezpiecznie
— in a secure manner
Russian:
надёжно
(nadjóžno)
— in a secure manner
Russian:
безопа́сно
(bezopásno)
— in a secure manner
