reliable

[ri-lahy-uh-buhl]

See more synonyms for reliable on Thesaurus.com

adjective

that may be relied on or trusted; dependable in achievement, accuracy, honesty, etc.: reliable information.

Origin of reliable

First recorded in 1560–70; rely + -able

Related formsre·li·a·bil·i·ty, re·li·a·ble·ness, nounre·li·a·bly, adverbnon·re·li·a·ble, adjectivenon·re·li·a·ble·ness, nounnon·re·li·a·bly, adverbqua·si-re·li·a·ble, adjectivequa·si-re·li·a·bly, adverbul·tra·re·li·a·ble, adjectiveul·tra·re·li·a·ble·ly, adverb

Synonyms for reliable

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

trusty, authentic, consistent. 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.

Antonyms for reliable

undependable, questionable, deceitful.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for reliable

good, solid, positive, sincere, safe, steady, honest, respectable, predictable, stable, dependable, decisive, strong, decent, true, candid, careful, certain, conscientious, constant

Examples from the Web for reliable

Contemporary Examples of reliable

Huckabee will also need to establish a reliable fundraising base, something that up until now has proved to be elusive.
Can Huckabee Convert the GOP’s Moneymen?
Lloyd Green
January 4, 2015
No longer does it constitute a reliable, middle class-based alternative to the corporatist mindset of the Republicans.
Time to Bring Back the Truman Democrats
Joel Kotkin
December 21, 2014
Be reliable supports of the Songun revolution possessed of a lofty spirit and rich knowledge!
North Korea's Top College: Brainwash U
Justin Rohrlich
December 13, 2014
How reliable were the other witnesses, given the extraordinarily charged atmosphere surrounding this case?
Ferguson’s Grand Jury Bought Darren Wilson’s Story
Paul Campos
November 25, 2014
But that article described Deen as calm and reliable, especially compared to LiLo.
My Bizarre Night With James Deen, Libertarian Porn Star
Emily Shire
November 12, 2014

Historical Examples of reliable

The backer was a reliable man and asked for a fair run for his money.
Thoroughbreds
W. A. Fraser
The bearers of the kitchen, who were also reliable travellers, set about the cook camp.
The Leopard Woman
Stewart Edward White
And Roland remained true—a reliable second string to Josie's bow.
The Fortune Hunter
Louis Joseph Vance
They were well built and reliable, so that the trade was pleased to stock and promote them.
The Auburndale Watch Company
Edwin A. Battison
He knows that if I am not very quick or brilliant I am fairly steady and reliable.
The Stark Munro Letters
J. Stark Munro

British Dictionary definitions for reliable

reliable

adjective

able to be trusted; predictable or dependable

Derived Formsreliability or rare reliableness, nounreliably, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for reliable

adj.

1560s, raliabill, Scottish; see rely + -able. Not common before 1850; and sometimes execrated thereafter in Britain as an Americanism because it involves a use of -able different from its use in provable, etc., but defended (by OED, Century Dictionary, etc.) on grounds of use of the suffix in available, laughable, etc.. Related: Reliably.