The word "insecure" is spelled with the prefix "in-" indicating negation or lack of something, followed by the word "secure" meaning safe or protected. The phonetic transcription for "insecure" is /ˌɪnsɪˈkjʊər/, with the stress on the second syllable. The first syllable "in-" is pronounced as "in," and the second syllable "sec" is pronounced as "sik," and the third syllable "-ure" is pronounced as "jur." This word describes a feeling of vulnerability, doubt, or uncertainty about oneself, others or situations.
Insecure can be defined as an adjective that describes a state of feeling uncertain, vulnerable, or lacking in confidence. It refers to a person's emotional or psychological condition where they doubt their own worth, abilities, or characteristics, and often experience a heightened sensitivity to criticism or rejection. Insecurity often stems from a deep-seated sense of inadequacy or self-doubt.
An insecure individual may exhibit certain behaviors or tendencies that reflect their lack of confidence or belief in themselves. They may constantly seek reassurance or validation from others, fear judgment or criticism, or have difficulty making decisions or asserting themselves. Insecurity can manifest in various aspects of life, such as relationships, work, or personal achievements, leading to an overall feeling of unease or dissatisfaction.
Insecurity can also refer to something that is not firmly fixed or established, hence being unstable or uncertain. In a technical context, it may describe a vulnerable or susceptible system or network that can be easily compromised or hacked, posing a potential threat to data security.
Furthermore, the adjective insecure can pertain to a person or relationship lacking a feeling of safety or trust. This connotation is often associated with physical or emotional safety, where someone may feel apprehensive or threatened due to a perceived lack of protection or instability in their environment or interactions.
In summary, insecure predominantly refers to a state of self-doubt, vulnerability, or lack of confidence, but can also encompass a sense of uncertainty, instability, or lack of safety.
Not safe; apprehensive of danger or loss.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "insecure" comes from the Latin word "insecurus", which is derived from the combination of two elements: "in-" meaning "not" or "without", and "securus" meaning "free from care" or "untroubled". The Latin word "securus" itself is a combination of "se-" (without) and "cura" (care). The word "insecure" thus preserves the idea of not being free from care or troubled, indicating a lack of confidence, doubt, or uncertainty.