trustworthy
Americanadjective
adjective
Synonym Usage
See reliable.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of trustworthy
Explanation
Trustworthy describes something you can believe in — it's completely reliable. Your favorite newspaper can be trustworthy — they always print the truth — and people can be trustworthy too. You only tell your secrets to a trustworthy friend. Breaking apart the word trustworthy gives you a clue to its meaning. It combines the common word trust, which describes something you can rely on, and the word worthy, which describes something that deserves respect. So something — or someone — that's trustworthy deserves your trust. In an election, you'll likely vote for the most trustworthy candidate because you believe she'll keep her promises. If you're trustworthy, that means you're reliable: you do what you say you're going to do.
Vocabulary lists containing trustworthy
Positive Words to Describe a Person
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Common Core Grades 7–8, List 7
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"Ode to the Table" by Pablo Neruda
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Many parents are in a conundrum: They need their jobs to pay the bills, but they also need trustworthy childcare; without the latter, they may not be able to work those jobs.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026
The trouble is that none of these are trustworthy if the AI products they use come with someone else’s off switch.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
Helton, who has a doctorate in education, said she is highly skilled and trustworthy.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
He said such arguments risk undermining Canada's future "right at the time when we're seen as one of the most trustworthy, reliable desirable countries to do business with - and we shouldn't mess that up".
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
She was used to judging people by their faces, and it seemed natural to her that Winston should believe O’Brien to be trustworthy on the strength of a single flash of the eyes.
From "1984" by George Orwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
