Meaning & use
safe-deposit
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Used before a noun: relating to a secure box or room in a bank for keeping valuable items.
Grammar: Always used before a noun, as in 'safe-deposit box'.
Patterns
- safe-deposit box
- safe-deposit vault
She keeps her jewelry in a safe-deposit box at the bank.
The documents are stored in a safe-deposit vault.
nouncountable
A secure box or room in a bank for storing valuables; short for safe-deposit box.
Grammar: Countable; often used in the plural. Usually 'safe-deposit box' is clearer.
Patterns
- a safe-deposit
- rent a safe-deposit
He rented a safe-deposit to store his rare coins.
The bank offers safe-deposits in various sizes.
Word forms
| plural | safe-deposits |
|---|
Common combinations
- safe-deposit box
- I need to get my passport from the safe-deposit box.
- safe-deposit vault
- The safe-deposit vault is open during bank hours.
- rent a safe-deposit box
- They rent a safe-deposit box for their important papers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- safety-deposit box
- A common variant; both are correct, but 'safe-deposit' is more traditional.
- bank vault
- A larger secure room, not an individual box.
Word family
Commonly confused: safe-deposit or safety deposit?
safe-deposit vs safety deposit
Some people say 'safety deposit box', but the standard term is 'safe-deposit box'.
Practice
Where would you typically find a safe-deposit box?
Choose one answer.
A safe-deposit box is a secure storage box kept in a bank vault. Banks provide this service.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “safe-deposit”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.