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.
He is becoming dependable now and England need to keep him fit.
From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026
As demand grows for more powerful and dependable laser technologies, the model may help scientists predict complex laser behaviors more efficiently without relying on multiple disconnected simulations.
From Science Daily • May 21, 2026
They’re dependable to the point of being forgettable.
From Salon • May 5, 2026
“A financially sound and dependable Fannie Mae is essential to the long-term health of the housing and mortgage markets.”
From Barron's • May 1, 2026
Another third of the team would be boys who were for the most part dependable, even if they had a few problems at school or with other kids.
From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John
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.
