insecure

English

Etymology

in- + secure, or from Medieval Latin insēcūrus, itself from in- (in-, un-, non-) + sēcūrus (safe, certain)

Pronunciation

  • Rhymes: -ʊə(ɹ)

Adjective

insecure (comparative more insecure, superlative most insecure)

  1. Not secure.
  2. Not comfortable or confident in oneself or in certain situations.
    • 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 1, in The China Governess:
      The half-dozen pieces […] were painted white and carved with festoons of flowers, birds and cupids. []  The bed was the most extravagant piece.  Its graceful cane halftester rose high towards the cornice and was so festooned in carved white wood that the effect was positively insecure, as if the great couch were trimmed with icing sugar.
    He's a nice guy and all, but seems to be rather insecure around other people.
    Imagine being so insecure that you make it against the law for folks to dislike you.

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Anagrams

This article is issued from Wiktionary. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.