Definition of insecure

The word "insecure" originated in the late 16th century, specifically in the year 1584. At that time, the word "insecure" was spelled "inusury" and was used in a legal context to describe a type of debt called "inusury debts" as they were considered to be unlawfully high-interest debts. The word "insecure" started to be used more broadly in the early 18th century, and by the mid-19th century, it had gained its current meaning of feeling lack of confidence, uncertainty, or doubt about oneself. It's believed that this new meaning was first used to describe people who had lost their sense of financial security due to economic hardships or other unforeseen circumstances, leaving them feeling insecure about their future. Over time, the meaning of the word "insecure" has expanded to encompass emotional and personal insecurities as well. It's now commonly used to describe people who lack self-confidence or have doubts about their own abilities, relationships, or personal qualities. In its modern usage, the word "insecure" is often used as a verb, such as "I feel insecure about my presentation today," or as an adjective, such as "I'm raising my insecure child to be more confident." Overall, the use of the word "insecure" has evolved from its origins as a legal term describing high-interest debts, to a broader description of personal and emotional insecurity.