reliable
Americanadjective
adjective
Synonym Usage
Reliable, infallible, trustworthy apply to persons, objects, ideas, or information that can be depended upon with confident certainty. Reliable suggests consistent dependability of judgment, character, performance, or result: a reliable formula, judge, car, meteorologist. Infallible suggests the complete absence of error, breakdown, or poor performance: an infallible test, system, marksman. Trustworthy emphasizes the steady and honest dependability which encourages one's confidence, belief, or trust: trustworthy and accurate reports.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of reliable
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How does reliable compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Calling something reliable means you can count on it to come through when you need it; it's dependable. If you're headed out for an around-the-world sailing trip, hopefully your lifejacket is reliable. You can certainly rely on something reliable because it's trustworthy and responsible. Reliable people usually show up on time, never flake out, and always tell the truth. A reliable car isn't likely to break down and will get you from place to place safely. And if you happen to lose your trusty sidekick, good luck looking for a reliable replacement.
Vocabulary lists containing reliable
TEKS ELAR Academic Vocabulary List (5th-7th grades)
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Positive Words to Describe a Person
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"My Favorite Chaperone," Vocabulary from the short story
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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.
League bowling took off, offering a reliable income stream for bowling alleys and centers; and as more women joined leagues, some places even offered free daycare.
From Salon • Jul. 3, 2026
They could serve as reliable quantum memory devices and low-loss communication channels that move quantum information across a chip.
From Science Daily • Jul. 2, 2026
The new platform would eventually be capable of powering 100 large-scale, 100 megawatt-class data centers and is well-placed to be a reliable source of power for South Korea’s most-demanding industrial users, the statement added.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 1, 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
Bodin was sure that one could have floating land masses; he believed there were reliable reports of islands that sneakily changed their position during the night—but the big continents, he thought, remained in one place.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
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.
