insecure
English
Etymology
in- + secure, or from Medieval Latin insēcūrus, itself from in- (“in-, un-, non-”) + sēcūrus (“safe, certain”)
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ɪnsəˈkjʊə(ɹ)/, /ɪnsəˈkjɔː(ɹ)/
Audio (Southern England): (file) - Lua error in Module:parameters at line 360: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "GA" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /ɪnsəˈkjʊɹ/, /ɪnsəˈkjɝ/, /ɪnsəˈkjɔɹ/
- Rhymes: -ʊə(ɹ)
Adjective
insecure (comparative more insecure, superlative most insecure)
- Not secure.
- Not comfortable or confident in oneself or in certain situations.
- 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.
- 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 1, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
- 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.
Antonyms
- (antonym(s) of “not comfortable or confident”): confident, self-confident
Derived terms
Translations
not secure
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not comfortable in certain situations
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