Secure vs. Security — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 2, 2023
Secure is an adjective or verb relating to the state of being free from danger or threat, while security is a noun referring to the measures taken to achieve this state.
Difference Between Secure and Security
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Secure, as a verb, involves actions taken to ensure safety or the absence of danger, like locking a door or encrypting data. As an adjective, it describes a state that is firmly established and not likely to be endangered or lost. Security, on the other hand, is the state of being free from danger or threat, or the measures taken to be safe. It is a condition that is often the result of being secure.
Secure can imply safety as well as stability and certainty. For instance, one might feel secure in their job position, meaning they trust that their employment is stable. Security, in a broader sense, encompasses safety in multiple dimensions such as emotional, financial, and physical, and often involves systems or procedures designed to maintain safety.
When one secures a location, they take steps to guard against danger. In contrast, when one speaks of security in this context, they refer to the overall conditions and systems that contribute to the location's safety. Secure as an action indicates making something safe, whereas security as a concept represents the overarching condition of being protected from risks.
The efforts of an individual to fasten something effectively can be expressed by the word secure; for instance, securing a boat to the dock. Security is the broader concept that might refer to the protocols and measures in place at an airport or a nation's defense strategies. It can be both a personal sensation and a collective system of protection.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective/verb: state or action of ensuring safety
Noun: condition/state or measures for safety
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Context
Can be physical or metaphorical security
Often refers to systems, procedures, or fields
Scope
Specific to an item, person, or situation
Broad, overarching sense of safety
Usage
Used to describe actions to make something safe
Describes the state achieved by these actions
Example
"We need to secure the premises."
"We rely on our home security system."
Compare with Definitions
Secure
Free from risk of loss; safe
Her papers were secure in the vault.
Security
The state of being free from danger or threat.
The security of our employees is our top priority.
Secure
Free from danger or threats.
She felt secure walking home after the streetlights were installed.
Security
A thing deposited or pledged as a guarantee of the fulfillment of an undertaking or loan.
He used his property as security for a bank loan.
Secure
Fixed or fastened so as not to give way, become loose, or be lost.
He made sure the cargo was secure before starting the truck.
Security
Financial instruments that represent an investment.
He diversified his portfolio by investing in various securities.
Secure
Obtain or achieve something desired or essential.
He managed to secure the last ticket to the concert.
Security
The safety of a state or organization against criminal activity such as terrorism or espionage.
National security is taken very seriously by the government.
Secure
Free from danger or attack
A secure fortress.
Security
Security is freedom from, or resilience against, potential harm (or other unwanted coercive change) caused by others. Beneficiaries (technically referents) of security may be of persons and social groups, objects and institutions, ecosystems or any other entity or phenomenon vulnerable to unwanted change.
Secure
Free from the risk of being intercepted or listened to by unauthorized persons
Only one telephone line in the embassy was secure.
Security
Freedom from risk or danger; safety.
Secure
Free from fear, anxiety, or doubt
Felt secure in his old job.
Security
Freedom from doubt, anxiety, or fear; confidence.
Secure
Not likely to fail or give way; stable
A secure stepladder.
Security
A group or department of private guards
Call building security if a visitor acts suspicious.
Secure
Firmly fastened
A secure lock.
Security
Measures adopted by a government to prevent espionage, sabotage, or attack.
Secure
Reliable; dependable
Secure investments.
Security
Measures adopted, as by a business or homeowner, to prevent a crime such as burglary or assault
Security was lax at the firm's smaller plant.
Secure
Assured; certain
With three goals in the first period they had a secure victory, but somehow they lost.
Security
Measures adopted to prevent escape
Security in the prison is very tight.
Secure
(Archaic) Careless or overconfident.
Security
Something deposited or given as assurance of the fulfillment of an obligation; collateral.
Secure
To guard from danger or risk of loss
The troops secured the area before the civilians were allowed to return.
Security
One who undertakes to fulfill the obligation of another; a surety.
Secure
To make firm or tight; fasten.
Security
A financial instrument, such as a stock or bond, representing rights of ownership or creditorship and often traded in secondary markets.
Secure
To make certain; ensure
The speaker could not secure the goodwill of the audience.
Security
(uncountable) The condition of not being threatened, especially physically, psychologically, emotionally, or financially.
Chad always carries a gun for his own security.
The pink blanket gives little Mary lots of security.
Secure
To guarantee payment of (a loan, for example).
Security
(countable) Something that secures.
Secure
To guarantee payment to (a creditor).
Security
An organization or department responsible for providing security by enforcing laws, rules, and regulations as well as maintaining order.
Pamela works in security.
Secure
To get possession of; acquire
Secured a job.
Security
(legal) Something that secures the fulfillment of an obligation or law.
Secure
To capture or confine
They secured the suspect in the squad car.
Security
(legal) Freedom from apprehension.
Secure
To bring about; effect
Secured release of the hostages.
Security
A tradeable financial asset, such as a share of stock.W
Secure
To protect or ensure the privacy or secrecy of (a telephone line, for example).
Security
(finance) Proof of ownership of stocks, bonds or other investment instruments.
Secure
Free from attack or danger; protected.
Security
(finance) Property etc. temporarily relinquished to guarantee repayment of a loan.
Secure
Free from the danger of theft; safe.
Security
A guarantee.
Secure
Free from the risk of eavesdropping, interception or discovery; secret.
Security
(obsolete) Carelessness; negligence.
Secure
Free from anxiety or doubt; unafraid.
Security
The condition or quality of being secure; secureness.
His trembling hand had lost the ease,Which marks security to please.
Secure
Firm and not likely to fail; stable.
Security
Hence, carelessness; negligence; heedlessness.
He means, my lord, that we are too remiss,Whilst Bolingbroke, through our security,Grows strong and great in substance and in power.
Secure
Free from the risk of financial loss; reliable.
Security
That which secures or makes safe; protection; guard; defense.
Those who lent him money lent it on no security but his bare word.
Secure
Confident in opinion; not entertaining, or not having reason to entertain, doubt; certain; sure; commonly used with of.
Secure of a welcome
Security
Freedom from risk; safety.
Give up yourself merely to chance and hazard,From firm security.
Some . . . alleged that we should have no security for our trade.
Secure
(obsolete) Overconfident; incautious; careless.
Security
One who becomes surety for another, or engages himself for the performance of another's obligation.
Secure
Certain to be achieved or gained; assured.
Just when victory seemed secure, they let it slip from their grasp.
Security
An evidence of debt or of property, as a bond, a certificate of stock, etc.; as, government securities.
Secure
To make safe; to relieve from apprehensions of, or exposure to, danger; to guard; to protect.
Security
The state of being free from danger or injury;
We support the armed services in the name of national security
Secure
To put beyond hazard of losing or of not receiving; to make certain; to assure; frequently with against or from, or formerly with of.
To secure a creditor against loss; to secure a debt by a mortgage
Security
A formal declaration that documents a fact of relevance to finance and investment; the holder has a right to receive interest or dividends;
He held several valuable securities
Secure
To make fast; to close or confine effectually; to render incapable of getting loose or escaping.
To secure a prisoner; to secure a door, or the hatches of a ship
Security
A department responsible for the security of the institution's property and workers;
The head of security was a former policeman
Secure
To get possession of; to make oneself secure of; to acquire certainly.
To secure an estate
Security
Measures taken as a precaution against theft or espionage or sabotage etc.;
Military security has been stepped up since the recent uprising
Secure
To plight or pledge.
Security
Defense against financial failure; financial independence;
His pension gave him security in his old age
Insurance provided protection against loss of wages due to illness
Secure
Free from fear, care, or anxiety; easy in mind; not feeling suspicion or distrust; confident.
But thou, secure of soul, unbent with woes.
Security
Freedom from anxiety or fear;
The watch dog gave her a feeling of security
Secure
Overconfident; incautious; careless; - in a bad sense.
Security
An electrical device that sets off an alarm when someone tries to break in
Secure
Confident in opinion; not entertaining, or not having reason to entertain, doubt; certain; sure; - commonly with of; as, secure of a welcome.
Confidence then bore thee on, secureEither to meet no danger, or to findMatter of glorious trial.
Security
Property that your creditor can claim in case you default on your obligation;
Bankers are reluctant to lend without good security
Secure
Not exposed to danger; safe; - applied to persons and things, and followed by against or from.
Security
A guarantee that an obligation will be met
Secure
To make safe; to relieve from apprehensions of, or exposure to, danger; to guard; to protect.
I spread a cloud before the victor's sight,Sustained the vanquished, and secured his flight.
Security
Measures taken to be free from danger or crime.
The event will have tight security to ensure safety.
Secure
To put beyond hazard of losing or of not receiving; to make certain; to assure; to insure; - frequently with against or from, rarely with of; as, to secure a creditor against loss; to secure a debt by a mortgage.
It secures its possessor of eternal happiness.
Secure
To make fast; to close or confine effectually; to render incapable of getting loose or escaping; as, to secure a prisoner; to secure a door, or the hatches of a ship.
Secure
To get possession of; to make one's self secure of; to acquire certainly; as, to secure an estate.
Secure
Get by special effort;
He procured extra cigarettes even though they were rationed
Secure
Cause to be firmly attached;
Fasten the lock onto the door
She fixed her gaze on the man
Secure
Assure payment of
Secure
Make certain of;
This nest egg will ensure a nice retirement for us
Preparation will guarantee success!
Secure
Fill or close tightly with or as if with a plug;
Plug the hole
Stop up the leak
Secure
Furnish with battens;
Batten ships
Secure
Free from fear or doubt; easy in mind;
Secure himself, he went out of his way to help others
Secure
Free from danger or risk;
Secure from harm
His fortune was secure
Made a secure place for himself in his field
Secure
Kept safe or defended from danger or injury or loss;
The most protected spot I could find
Secure
Not likely to fail or give way;
The lock was secure
A secure foundation
A secure hold on her wrist
Secure
Able to withstand attack;
An impregnable fortress
Fortifications that made the frontier inviolable
Secure
Financially sound;
A good investment
A secure investment
Secure
Confidently assured.
I am secure in my decision to relocate for the job.
Secure
To make safe against espionage or unauthorized access.
They worked to secure the classified documents.
Common Curiosities
How do companies ensure the security of customer data?
Companies implement measures like encryption to protect data.
Can "secure" be used as both a verb and an adjective?
Yes, you can secure a building (verb) or feel secure (adjective).
Is emotional security as important as physical security?
Yes, both are important for overall well-being.
What does it mean to secure a website?
It means implementing measures to protect it from cyber threats.
What does it mean to live in a secure environment?
It means living in a place that is safe from danger or threats.
Can I say "secure security"?
It’s redundant; use "ensure security" instead.
Can you have security without being secure?
No, security implies that you are already in a secure state.
What’s the difference between job security and a secure job?
Job security refers to the concept of a stable employment environment; a secure job is a specific position considered stable.
What is a security guard’s role?
To maintain the safety and security of people and property.
What is the primary goal of security in a workplace?
To safeguard employees, data, and assets from risks.
Does a secure attachment in psychology refer to safety?
It refers to the trust and bond between a child and caregiver.
How is national security maintained?
Through various measures including defense, intelligence, and policies.
What does securing a loan entail?
It involves providing collateral to guarantee the loan.
Can security be too strict?
Yes, if it overly restricts freedom or privacy without clear benefit.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
