Safe means protected from danger, harm, or risk. If something is safe, it is unlikely to hurt you or cause damage.
From Old French *sauf*, from Latin *salvus*, meaning 'unharmed' or 'in good health'. The root is related to words about wholeness and health.
Safe is a cousin of *save*, *salvation*, and even *salve*—all about being kept whole or healed. The word suggests that safety isn’t just avoiding harm; it’s preserving your full self. When people seek safety, they’re really asking to stay unbroken.
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