dependable
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of dependable
Compare meaning
How does dependable compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Dependable means "reliable, steady, trustworthy." If people can always count on you, that means you are dependable. The adjective dependable can also mean consistent in performance or behavior, like a dependable car that always starts and rarely needs service or a dependable actor who always does a great job, regardless of the role. Dependable can also be used to describe something that is financially sound, like an investment that brings profit with little risk.
Vocabulary lists containing dependable
Words to Describe Yourself on a Resume
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Words to Describe a Friend
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Cover Letter Language
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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.
Large customers want a dependable supply years in advance, and price is a secondary concern given supply constraints.
From Barron's • May 20, 2026
While those chips are dependable, they lack the performance needed for more advanced missions.
From Science Daily • May 15, 2026
He has been one of Emery's most dependable players this season, scoring 10 goals, and is one of the reasons Harvey Elliott's loan move from Liverpool has failed.
From BBC • May 7, 2026
Once you’re on the ground, individual neighborhoods are walkable, and Uber and Lyft are dependable options for longer distances.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026
“I should have known. It’s the dependable part of the disease. Five to seven days after exposure. This is the seventh day.”
From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien
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.
