reliable

[ ri-lahy-uh-buhl ]

adjective

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

   reliable information.

   Synonyms: consistent, authentic, trusty

   Antonyms: undependable, deceitful, questionable

reliable

/ rɪˈlaɪəbəl /

adjective

1. able to be trusted; predictable or dependable

Derived Forms

• reˈliably, adverb
• reˌliaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• re·lia·bili·ty re·lia·ble·ness noun
• re·lia·bly adverb
• nonre·lia·ble adjective
• nonre·lia·ble·ness noun
• nonre·lia·bly adverb
• quasi-re·lia·ble adjective
• quasi-re·lia·bly adverb
• ultra·re·lia·ble adjective
• ultra·re·lia·ble·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of reliable¹

First recorded in 1560–70; rely + -able

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

When their story came out last week, they said that they had gotten the report from a reliable source.

From Voice of San Diego

Another big concern for many families is getting reliable access to computers and the internet so that students can participate in school from home.

From Science News For Students

Google clearly documents in there their goals for the search results, which types of queries require a higher level of authoritative and reliable sources, and which do not.

From Search Engine Land

As a result, researchers don’t have good, reliable data on how the coronavirus spreads — which is fairly important if you’re trying to put together a model to show you ways to prevent the spread.

From FiveThirtyEight

Many beer brewers, however, would rather your IPA have the same reliable flavor whether you pop open the bottle this Friday or in October.

From Science News

Huckabee will also need to establish a reliable fundraising base, something that up until now has proved to be elusive.

From The Daily Beast

The jet engine instantly brought two advances over propellers: it doubled the speed and it was far more reliable.

From The Daily Beast

No longer does it constitute a reliable, middle class-based alternative to the corporatist mindset of the Republicans.

From The Daily Beast

Be reliable supports of the Songun revolution possessed of a lofty spirit and rich knowledge!

From The Daily Beast

How reliable were the other witnesses, given the extraordinarily charged atmosphere surrounding this case?

From The Daily Beast

The remaining figures, being taken from census returns and other reliable authorities, are more satisfactory.

From Project Gutenberg

Even genius, however, needs direction and adjustment to secure the most perfect and reliable results.

From Project Gutenberg

Here they are seldom abundant, but their constant presence is the most reliable urinary sign of the disease.

From Project Gutenberg

They make no such time as is currently reported on our side, and are by no means reliable for punctuality.

From Project Gutenberg

It is difficult to make, and should be purchased ready prepared from a reliable dealer.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• decent
• decisive
• dependable
• good
• honest
• positive
• predictable
• respectable
• safe
• sincere
• solid
• stable
• steady
• strong
• true