reliable

American

[ri-lahy-uh-buhl] / rɪˈlaɪ ə bəl /

adjective

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

reliable information.

Synonyms:

consistent, authentic, trusty

Antonyms:

deceitful, questionable, undependable

reliable British

/ rɪˈlaɪəbəl /

adjective

able to be trusted; predictable or dependable

"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

Related Words

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

nonreliable adjective
nonreliableness noun
nonreliably adverb
quasi-reliable adjective
quasi-reliably adverb
reliability noun
reliableness noun
reliably adverb
ultrareliable adjective
ultrareliablely adverb

Etymology

Origin of reliable

First recorded in 1560–70; rely + -able

Compare meaning

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

reliable vs. dependable

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.

Researchers from University of Oxford's Migration Observatory say it is difficult to draw conclusions about the relationship between crime, migration and nationality because of a lack of reliable data.

From BBC

But that's since become the subject of fierce debate among experts, with some saying surveys like the one it was based on aren't always reliable.

From BBC

But the perk has lost some of its luster as overcrowding and restrictions at participating lounges have made entry less reliable.

From The Wall Street Journal

The increase "helps ensure essential services remain reliable and financially sustainable," it added.

From BBC

Understanding daily life in ancient cultures depends on reliable biological records.

From Science Daily

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023