Reliable: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：dependable (reliable)

reliable 🔊

/rɪˈlaɪəbl/

adj.

Something that can be trusted to work well or behave as expected.

Reliable definition illustrated by a sturdy car driving steadily on a sunny road

dependable 🔊

➕

/dɪˈpɛndəbəl/

adj.

Describes a person, object, or system that can be consistently trusted to perform well or behave in an expected manner.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From re- (intensive) + Latin ligare (to bind), via Old French relier. Able to be bound back or trusted.

💡 Mnemonic

You can RELY on a RELIABLE friend to show up.

📖 Example

My old car is very reliable; it starts every morning no matter how cold it is. 🔊 My old car is very dependable; it starts every morning no matter how cold it is.

🔗 Collocations

reliable source – A trustworthy origin of information

reliable data – Information that is accurate and trustworthy

reliable friend – A consistently trustworthy and supportive person

🔄 Synonyms

dependable (adj.) – Consistently trustworthy in performance or behavior.

trustworthy (adj.) – Deserving of complete trust or confidence.

responsible (adj.) – Able to be trusted to act sensibly and reliably.

🚫 Antonyms

unreliable (adj.) – Not able to be trusted or depended upon.

undependable (adj.) – Failing to provide consistent or predictable support.

🌱 Derivatives

reliability (n.) – The quality of being trustworthy or consistently good.

reliably (adv.) – In a consistently trustworthy manner.

📖 Cultural Story

The term gained prominence during the Industrial Revolution, emphasizing the need for machines and systems that could perform consistently. It became central to engineering, business contracts, and modern logistics, where predictability is paramount.