reliable
Americanadjective
adjective
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
Compare meaning
How does reliable compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
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.
Fast, reliable wireless connections are essential in everyday life.
From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026
"The report rightly highlights the importance of having reliable, comprehensive and earlier assessment information to support children's learning," he said.
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
One place investors can still find reliable payouts is real estate investment trusts.
From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026
“Secure ballot envelope identifiers provide a reliable, auditable mechanism to enforce Federal law without unduly burdening or infringing on the rights of eligible voters,” the order reads.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026
He had been captured and briefly detained by the captain, only to be released by him for lack of physical evidence and reliable witnesses.
From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French
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.
