EtymologyMap
Back to all words

Trace the journey of words

Today it means

secure

fixed firmly; protected

Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Drag to rotate

Where does the word "secure" come from? It comes from Latin securus, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).

Read the full story

Where does the word "secure" come from? It comes from Latin securus, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).

Secure’s story begins in Latin: securus meant “free from care.” 'se-', without, plus 'cura', care. It reached English by 1500s as secure. Borrowed straight from Latin, while its twin 'sure' came through French; computer 'security' dates from the 1960s. Today, secure means fixed firmly; protected.

  1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient securus "free from care", 'se-', without, plus 'cura', care.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1500s secure "free from care", borrowed straight from Latin, while its twin 'sure' came through French; computer 'security' dates from the 1960s.

Browse by origin