dependable

American  

[dih-pen-duh-buhl] / dɪˈpɛn də bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being depended on; worthy of trust; reliable.

   a dependable employee.

   Synonyms:

   responsible , faithful , steadfast , trusty , trustworthy

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dependable British  

/ dɪˈpɛndəbəl /

adjective

1. able to be depended on; reliable; trustworthy

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Other Word Forms

• dependability noun
• dependableness noun
• dependably adverb
• interdependable adjective
• nondependable adjective
• nondependableness noun
• nondependably adverb
• predependable adjective
• undependable adjective
• undependableness noun
• undependably adverb

Etymology

Origin of dependable

First recorded in 1725–35; depend + -able

Compare meaning

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

• reliable vs. dependable

Example Sentences

At the same time, scores on AP tests have become a less dependable marker of merit.

From The Wall Street Journal

In late October, the organization tasked with ensuring the reliability of New England’s grid warned of power shortages as soon as this winter, emphasizing the need to obtain dependable energy production.

From The Wall Street Journal

Their broader use, however, has been limited by the lack of dependable techniques that can generate these beams and maintain their unique characteristics as they travel or interact with different materials.

From Science Daily

The automated, data-focused method also streamlines passive acoustic monitoring, offering a more dependable and accessible option than common techniques such as spoor surveys or camera trapping.

From Science Daily

And once the trip is over, it doubles as a dependable backup power source at home during an outage.

From Salon

Related Words

• loyal
• staunch
• steady
• sturdy
• true
• trustworthy