dependable

[dih-pen-duh-buhl]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dependable ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

capable of being depended on; worthy of trust; reliable: a dependable employee.

RELATED WORDS

Origin of dependable

First recorded in 1725–35; depend + -able

Related formsde·pend·a·bil·i·ty, de·pend·a·ble·ness, nounde·pend·a·bly, adverbin·ter·de·pend·a·bil·i·ty, nounin·ter·de·pend·a·ble, adjectivenon·de·pend·a·bil·i·ty, nounnon·de·pend·a·ble, adjectivenon·de·pend·a·ble·ness, nounnon·de·pend·a·bly, adverbpre·de·pend·a·ble, adjectiveun·de·pend·a·bil·i·ty, nounun·de·pend·a·ble, adjectiveun·de·pend·a·ble·ness, nounun·de·pend·a·bly, adverb

Synonyms for dependable

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR dependable ON THESAURUS.COM

trustworthy, trusty, trusted, steadfast, faithful, responsible.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for undependable

Historical Examples of undependable

The trouble was that she got involved with undependable trades.
L'Assommoir
Emile Zola
"They get thicker every day," he complained in a thin, undependable falsetto.
The Scarlet Plague
Jack London
Their memories of the protection and privileges granted them were short and undependable.
The Weakling
Everett B. Cole
"Our telegraph system is undependable," was all that the other, the younger, Randon answered.
Cytherea
Joseph Hergesheimer
I know Miss Betsey believes him to be sneaking and undependable.
Madge Morton's Trust
Amy D. V. Chalmers

British Dictionary definitions for undependable

dependable

adjective

able to be depended on; reliable; trustworthy

Derived Formsdependability or dependableness, noundependably, 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 undependable

dependable

adj.

1735; se depend + -able. Related: Dependability; dependably.