secure

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secure" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to convey safety, protection, or assurance regarding something. Example: "We need to secure the building before the storm hits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This acquisition allows us to secure a large, global platform on which to distribute our increasingly successful original programming through a collection of strong, well-established and well-managed assets worldwide".

The New York Times

Built in 1890 by Robert Walker in Portland stone and listed by English Heritage as a site of special historical and architectural interest, the property boasts a penthouse suite with aerial views of the capital, dozens of rooms, spaces for entertaining, and a secure vault in the basement.

The Guardian

Writing days before Abdullah's death, the American author Stephen Kinzer warned that the basis of the west's relationship with the Saudi regime was shifting in fundamental ways, while Saudi Arabia's position in a region beset by insurrection and civil war was ever less secure.

The Guardian

Industrial nations can at best give a developing country a shallow surface insight into their know-how, and even then only in the context of foreign investment deals in which developed countries that host foreign direct investment inflows skilfully negotiate and secure such agreements, and have skilled workforces to absorb and expand on such prowess.

The Guardian

The Guardian published the story after the Daily Telegraph refused to for fear of offending its readers, even after the paper had paid a substantial sum to secure the exclusive rights.

The Guardian - Books

In a further statement issued on Sunday, Cormann said his comment was intended to point out that Shorten could not secure Labor support for Labor's own previously budgeted savings measures.

The Guardian

UN security council resolution 242, adopted in November 1967, called for the withdrawal of Israel's armed forces "from territories occupied in the recent conflict" and recognition of the right for all to live in peace "within secure and recognised boundaries free from threats or acts of force".

The Guardian

The Open Wireless Router will also allow small businesses and home users to let guests and passersby get an internet connection if they need one, while maintaining a secure, password-protected portion of their network.

The Guardian - Tech

It has been recommissioned for a fourth series, to be filmed next December and shown in early 2016, and he is secure enough now that he recently traded up his flat to a house with a garden in north London, though not to Shropshire, as he flat-out lied in a recent column for the Observer.

The Guardian

On the Today programme, the prime minister said he would act in the way he did in 2010 if he failed to secure an overall majority.

The Guardian

All these buildings will presumably have to be evacuated of their staff and then occupied by Garda officers in order to secure them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using "secure" in scenarios where both physical safety and data protection apply.

Common error

Avoid using "secure" as a generic placeholder for related verbs like 'obtain' or 'acquire'. Consider context-specific alternatives to improve precision and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "secure" functions primarily as a verb, denoting the action of making something safe or obtaining it. It also functions as an adjective, describing a state of being safe or reliable. Ludwig AI highlights this dual functionality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

16%

Tech

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Sport

6%

Opinion

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "secure" is a versatile term functioning as both a verb and an adjective, primarily used to convey safety, assurance, or the act of obtaining something. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its correct and widespread usage across various contexts, including news, business, and technology, makes it a common and reliable term. To ensure precision in writing, it is important to use "secure" contextually, avoiding its overuse as a generic placeholder. Understanding its nuances and alternatives, like "ensure", "guarantee", and "protect", will help refine your writing and enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ensure

Focuses on guaranteeing a specific outcome, rather than physical safety.

guarantee

Implies a formal assurance or promise.

protect

Emphasizes shielding from harm or danger.

safeguard

Highlights preventative measures to maintain safety.

assure

Focuses on removing doubts or anxieties.

acquire

Refers to gaining possession of something, often through effort.

obtain

Similar to 'acquire' but can also imply permission or consent.

procure

Suggests effort and planning in acquiring something.

fasten

Implies firmly attaching or closing something.

lock down

Emphasizes making a place or system completely secure.

FAQs

How can I use "secure" in a sentence?

The word "secure" can be used as a verb meaning to obtain or protect. Example: "We need to "secure the perimeter"" or as an adjective. Example: "This is a "secure location"".

What are some alternatives to "secure"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ensure", "guarantee", or "protect".

When should I use "ensure" instead of "secure"?

"Ensure" is best used when you want to guarantee a specific outcome, while "secure" is more appropriate when referring to physical safety or obtaining something tangible.

Is "secure" only used for physical safety?

No, "secure" can also refer to data protection or obtaining agreements, funding, or rights, as seen in examples like "secure voting rights".