reliable

American

[ri-lahy-uh-buhl] / rɪˈlaɪ ə bəl /

adjective

that may be relied on or trusted; dependable in achievement, accuracy, honesty, etc..

reliable information.

Synonyms:

consistent , authentic , trusty

Antonyms:

deceitful , questionable , undependable

reliable British

/ rɪˈlaɪəbəl /

adjective

able to be trusted; predictable or dependable

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

Reliable, infallible, trustworthy apply to persons, objects, ideas, or information that can be depended upon with confident certainty. Reliable suggests consistent dependability of judgment, character, performance, or result: a reliable formula, judge, car, meteorologist. Infallible suggests the complete absence of error, breakdown, or poor performance: an infallible test, system, marksman. Trustworthy emphasizes the steady and honest dependability which encourages one's confidence, belief, or trust: trustworthy and accurate reports.

Other Word Forms

nonreliable adjective
nonreliableness noun
nonreliably adverb
quasi-reliable adjective
quasi-reliably adverb
reliability noun
reliableness noun
reliably adverb
ultrareliable adjective
ultrareliablely adverb

Etymology

Origin of reliable

First recorded in 1560–70; rely + -able

Compare meaning

How does reliable compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

reliable vs. dependable

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

As competition intensifies to create the first reliable, large-scale commercial quantum computer, a critical issue has become harder to ignore.

From Science Daily

He and his wife have a newer Tesla, but wanted a reliable and reasonably spacious second car that could hold up on long road trips.

From The Wall Street Journal

"We are working to secure real peace for Ukraine and reliable, long-term security guarantees. The delegation will report to the President of Ukraine following the conclusion of today’s meetings."

From Barron's

The fruity martini revival exists in this tension: bartenders want creative freedom, but the market wants reliable aesthetics.

From Salon

A reliable party is a basic for any government that wants to be effective.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023