Words / B2

ins-i-KY-oorr-uh-tee/ˌɪnsɪˈkjʊərəti/

Insecurity is lack of confidence, or lack of safety: job insecurity; food insecurity. Insecure is the adjective. Uncountable in policy English. Job insecurity featured in the union briefing. Do not use it only for teenage shyness if the text is about contracts.

Meaning

Lack of confidence; also lack of safety, especially of a job or home.

Examples

• “Job insecurity among hourly invigilators featured in the union briefing.”
• “Food insecurity rose after the benefit change, which is the policy sense.”

Good to know

job / food / housing insecurity; a sense of insecurity. Adjective: insecure. Uncountable in reports. Labour and welfare. Not only shyness.

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