WordGarden.iounsafety
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Meanings
Noun
the condition of not being safe
Beyond the definition
"Unsafety" is an uncommon noun that means a lack of safety or the state of being unsafe. It is usually used when someone wants to talk about danger as a condition, not just a single risky moment. Think of a damaged bridge, a badly designed machine, or a worksite with clear hazards. In cases like these, the word points to the unsafe condition itself.
You are more likely to see "unsafety" in technical, academic, or careful writing than in everyday speech. A report might describe the unsafety of a building, a road, or a system. In daily English, people often choose simpler phrases such as "lack of safety," "danger," or "unsafe conditions."
"Unsafety" is a rare but valid noun meaning a lack of safety or an unsafe state. It names the condition in which people, places, systems, or actions involve danger or are not properly protected. Rather than pointing to one sudden threat, it often describes an ongoing situation in which risk is built in.
This word appears most naturally in formal contexts such as safety reports, engineering, public policy, psychology, or academic writing. For example, someone might write about the unsafety of faulty equipment, the unsafety of a building after structural damage, or the unsafety created by poor working conditions. In these cases, the focus is on the condition that makes harm possible.
In ordinary conversation, native speakers often prefer more common wording. Instead of "unsafety," they may say "danger," "lack of safety," "unsafe conditions," or simply "it is unsafe." Because of that, the word can sound technical, unusual, or slightly abstract in casual use.
The meaning still makes sense when used more broadly. A writer may use it to describe a general atmosphere of danger, fear, or weak protection. Even then, the core idea stays the same: something is not secure, and there is a real chance of harm.
Examples
- 1
Building inspection
Inspectors closed the building because of the unsafety of its staircases.
- 2
Public transit
After several incidents on the bus route, many students felt a growing sense of unsafety.
- Phrasesense of unsafety
a feeling that a place or situation is not safe
- 3
Team culture
The manager's harsh tone created psychological unsafety in the team.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- unsafety