reliable
Word facts
Definition of Reliable
Suitable or fit to be relied on; worthy of dependence, reliance or trust; dependable, trustworthy Such that either a sent packet will reach its destination, even if it requires retransmission, or the sender will be told that it didn't.
Example sentences
A reliable car is essential for anyone who commutes long distances daily.
She was known as the most reliable member of the volunteer team.
Using Reliable well
A closer look at how reliable is used — meaning in plain English, how close synonyms differ, and examples at different levels.
Able to be trusted to work well or behave consistently over time.
Use 'reliable' to praise people, products, or sources you can count on again and again. It signals steady, dependable performance rather than a single impressive moment.
Common in reviews, references and recommendations, journalism (reliable sources), and descriptions of people, cars, and equipment.
Do not confuse 'reliable' with 'valid'. In research especially, reliable means giving consistent results each time, while valid means actually measuring what it claims to. Something can be reliable yet not valid.
- dependable
- very close, slightly warmer — often used of people you can lean on emotionally as well as practically
- trustworthy
- focuses on honesty and integrity, not just consistent performance
- consistent
- narrower — always the same, though 'consistent' does not by itself promise a good result
- steady
- more about calm, unchanging behaviour than about being counted on for a task
- solid
- informal — broadly good and dependable, but vaguer and more casual
- unreliable
- direct opposite — cannot be counted on
- erratic
- stronger opposite — unpredictable and inconsistent from one time to the next
- flaky
- informal opposite, usually of people — likely to let you down or cancel
- Beginner My old bike is slow, but it's very reliable.
- In writing The report leans on reliable sources, each one cross-checked against independent records.
- Advanced In a market flooded with hype, its reputation rested on something quieter and rarer: being reliable, year after year.
You can 'rely' on something 'reliable' — the verb sits right inside the word.
Synonyms for Reliable
Antonyms for Reliable
Related words
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Words that rhyme with Reliable
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What does reliable mean?
Suitable or fit to be relied on; worthy of dependence, reliance or trust; dependable, trustworthy Such that either a sent packet will reach its destination, even if it requires retransmission, or the sender will be told that it didn't. It is an adjective.
How many syllables does reliable have?
Reliable has 4 syllables: rih·ly·uh·buhl. The word is broken into 4 spoken beats.
What part of speech is reliable?
Reliable is used as an adjective. As a noun, it names a thing, idea, or concept.
What are synonyms for reliable?
Words with similar meanings to reliable include true, authentic, sure, dependable. The best synonym depends on the exact context you are writing or reading in.
How do you use reliable in a sentence?
Example: "A reliable car is essential for anyone who commutes long distances daily."