rely

American  

[ri-lahy] / rɪˈlaɪ /

verb (used without object)

relied, relying

1. to depend confidently; put trust in (usually followed by on orupon ).

   You can rely on her work.

   Synonyms:

   bank, count, trust

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rely British  

/ rɪˈlaɪ /

verb

1. to be dependent (on)

   he relies on his charm

2. to have trust or confidence (in)

   you can rely on us

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Other Word Forms

• misrely
  verb (used without object)

Etymology

Origin of rely

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English relien, from Middle French relier, from Latin religāre “to bind fast, hold firmly”; see re-, ligament

Explanation

To rely is to have confidence in something. You might rely on staying in bed to make you feel better and rely on your friends to tell you everything you missed when you were sick. Rely is a lot like the word depend. If you rely on someone for help, you also depend on her. But rely is even more powerful! When you rely on someone, you have total faith and trust that she will come through. It comes from the Latin word religare which means "to fasten or bind." You're bound to the people you rely on!

Example Sentences

Appeared in the January 13, 2026, print edition as 'Iranians Rely on Starlink To Get Out Protest Video'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026

Rely on concrete’s ability to gain strength over time by specifying compressive strengths at two or three months instead of the common one month, which can lessen the amount of material needed.

From Scientific American • Feb. 9, 2023

Rely on Saquon Barkley, and let Kayvon Thibodeaux do what he does.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2023

Rely on tips from those who’ve been before.

From New York Times • Jun. 14, 2022

And each time God had said, Rely on Me.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom