Save Meaning
Save Definition & Usage
To keep safe, to preserve from harm or loss.
Examples
- "The firefighter saved the child from the burning building."
- "I saved my work to the cloud to prevent losing it."
- "She saved all her important documents in a locked drawer."
- "He saved his money for a future vacation."
- "We need to save the environment for future generations."
To rescue from danger, harm, or an undesirable situation.
Examples
- "The lifeguard saved the swimmer who was struggling in the ocean."
- "They saved the company from bankruptcy by restructuring its debt."
- "The team saved the game by scoring in the final minute."
- "She saved the day by finding the missing keys just in time."
- "They saved the endangered species by creating a wildlife sanctuary."
To accumulate or store something for future use, often referring to money or resources.
Examples
- "He saved up for a new car over the course of three years."
- "We saved a lot of time by taking a shortcut."
- "She saved the leftovers for lunch tomorrow."
- "They saved a significant amount on their energy bill by installing solar panels."
- "If you save your earnings now, you'll have more money in the future."
To reduce the amount of something used or wasted.
Examples
- "You can save energy by turning off lights when you leave the room."
- "We should save paper by using both sides of the sheet."
- "Her efforts to save water helped reduce the household's utility bills."
- "By cooking at home, they saved money on eating out."
- "She saves time by preparing meals in bulk for the week."
To record or store something electronically.
Examples
- "Make sure to save your document before closing the program."
- "He saved the photo on his phone to keep as a memory."
- "Can you save this file in a different format?"
- "I saved the podcast episode for later listening."
- "Don't forget to save your progress in the game before turning off the console."
Cultural Context
The word 'save' comes from the Old French word 'sauver', derived from the Latin 'salvare', which means to keep safe. It has been used in English since the 13th century, initially in the sense of protecting or rescuing something or someone from danger. Over time, the meaning expanded to include abstract concepts like saving money, saving time, and saving resources.
The Last Minute Save
Story
The Last Minute Save
One rainy Thursday afternoon, the small local bakery, known for its homemade pastries, was struggling to stay afloat. The owner, Emma, had poured her heart into the bakery for years, but with the rise of larger chains and online food delivery, business had been slow. She was just about to close the shop for the day when a familiar face walked in—her best friend, Lily. 'You look stressed,' Lily remarked, glancing at the empty shop. 'What's going on?' 'I think this is it, Lily,' Emma sighed. 'I don’t know how much longer we can keep the doors open. It's just not enough.' Lily thought for a moment before her eyes lit up. 'Wait! What if we host a bake-off competition? A local event where people can showcase their baking skills? You can save the bakery by bringing in the community!' Emma wasn’t convinced at first, but the more she thought about it, the more it seemed like a fun, low-cost idea. So, she started organizing the event, saving a spot for every willing contestant and offering a small prize for the winner. The night of the bake-off, the bakery was packed. People from the neighborhood arrived, bringing their families and friends to watch the competition. It was a huge success—Emma didn’t just save the bakery, she saved her love for baking. Lily, as always, had saved the day. 'Sometimes, all you need is a little creativity and a good idea,' she said, smiling at her friend. 'You saved your bakery, Emma.' As Emma looked around at the buzzing crowd, she realized that sometimes a small idea could save something much bigger—her dream, her bakery, and her future. The event became an annual tradition, with the bakery thriving and Emma feeling reinvigorated with new ideas every year.
Related Words
