The short and simple answer: "save" is a verb meaning "to protect from danger", "safe" is an adjective meaning "not in danger". The policeman saved the old lady from the criminal. The old lady is safe. There are a few meanings where the words are quite different, for example: It's important to save money (NOT: "I have safe money in the bank", "save" can only be a verb when it means "keep money") However the simple rule "save = verb, safe = adj" should work most of the time.
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ProWritingAid
prowritingaid.com › safe-vs-save
Safe vs Save: What's the Difference?
October 2, 2022 - Safe is an adjective meaning to be protected from danger, whilst save is a verb meaning to help something avoid harm. So, the correct phrase is “safe and sound,” not “save and sound.”
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Quora
quora.com › What-is-the-difference-between-save-and-safe
What is the difference between “save” and “safe”? - Quora
Answer (1 of 22): Save is a verb meaning to rescue(someone/something) or to store(something). In computing, it means to keep data in a specified location. An informal North American meaning of 'save' is to stop talking. Save is also a noun that means to prevent the opposing team from scoring. Sa...
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Linguix
linguix.com › english › common-mistake › save_safe
Exploring the Difference between "Save" and "Safe": Verb vs. Adjective
To keep or protect something from being wasted or used up, as in "Let's save some cake for later." On the other hand, "safe" is an adjective that means free from harm, danger, or risk. Here are some examples of how to use "safe" correctly: After the storm, we found a safe place to take shelter.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/englishlearning › save vs safe
r/EnglishLearning on Reddit: Save vs Safe
April 24, 2023 -

I have a good number of German and Dutch friends and notice they often use save when they mean safe. I understand this to be a result of the way the letters are pronounced in German and Dutch.

So, to use the correct one, here’s an example:

I will save the last parachute for you because I want you to be safe.

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YouTube
youtube.com › watch
What's the difference? Save VS Safe | English Vocabulary - YouTube
'Save' is a verb and it means to help sb/sth to survive.'Safe' is an adjective and it means not in danger, protected.For more videos like this one, follow Th...
Published   September 16, 2020
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Pediaa
pediaa.com › home › language › english language › words and meanings › difference between safe and save
Difference Between Safe and Save
October 13, 2015 - The main difference between safe and save is, Safe is an adjective meaning to be protected from danger while Save is a verb meaning to rescue or preserve.
Find elsewhere
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LinguoDan
linguodan.com › home › vocabulary › difference between “safe” and “save” in english
Difference between “Safe” and “Save” in English - LinguoDan
January 22, 2024 - Safe is an adjective that means "protected from danger or risk." Save is a verb that means "to rescue, preserve, or store up."
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Difference Between
differencebetween.com › difference-between-safe-and-vs-save
Difference Between Safe and Save | Compare the Difference Between Similar Terms
July 8, 2013 - Take a look at the following examples to understand the meaning of the word. ... • You save someone from harm or danger while something or someone is safe when it is secure or free from harm or injury.
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Difference Wiki
difference.wiki › safe-vs-save
Safe vs. Save: What’s the Difference?
"Safe" is an adjective or noun meaning secure from danger or harm, while "save" is a verb meaning to rescue, preserve, or store. Safe, as an adjective, describes a state of being protected from or not exposed to danger or risk. It implies security and a lack of threat.
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WordReference
forum.wordreference.com › spanish-english / español-inglés › spanish-english grammar / gramática español-inglés
safe / saved (adjective) | WordReference Forums
August 11, 2009 - Hi, nicochester. Thanks for answering. My doubt is if I can use both safe and saved as adjectives and how the meaning changes in case it does. I found this: safe1adj safe [seif]1 (negativeunsafe) protected, or free (from danger etc) The children are safe from danger in the garden.
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Langeek
langeek.co › home › grammar › grammar faq › save vs. rescue
What is the difference between 'save' and 'rescue'? | LanGeek
5 days ago - This lesson will discuss the difference between the contexts of use of these two verbs. 'Save' is a more general term that refers to the act of keeping someone or something safe from harm, loss, or death or prevent them from dying or being hurt.
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Back to English
wat4english.wordpress.com › 2009 › 12 › 21 › save-vs-safe
"save" vs. "safe" | Back to English
December 21, 2009 - They are pronounced a little differently. One is spelt with a “v” and the other with an “f “. save (v.) – to keep (there are other meanings as well) ... I had to safe myself because the fire could not be extinguished.
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LanguageTool
languagetool.org › home › “secure” vs. “safe”: definitions and examples
“Secure” vs. “Safe”: Definitions and Examples
June 17, 2025 - As a verb, secure can also mean ... to use a rope to secure the luggage on top of the car. The word safe is never a verb. Only save can be used as a verb, which means “to keep safe.” Secure, on the other hand, can be used as a verb exactly as is....
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Quora
quora.com › Which-is-correct-stay-safe-or-stay-save
Which is correct, “stay safe” or “stay save”? - Quora
Answer (1 of 35): “Stay safe!" is good English, often used when parting company and meaning, “Look after yourself and your safety” whilst also implying “I wish safety for you". “Stay save" doesn't make sense to me. The ‘stay' component, as above, is a verb in the imperative mood, meaning, “”rema...
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Aimpublishing
aimpublishing.com › store › index.php
safe or save : Aim Publishing, The Grammar Place
Which should you use, safe or save? The adjective safe means not in danger. The verb save may mean to stop someone or something from being killed, injured or destroyed. Save also means to prevent time, money or effort from being wasted or spent. Incorrect: He will keep you save.