Meaning & use
reliable
Last updated
UK/rɪˈlaɪəbl/
US/rɪˈlaɪəbl/
Meaning
adjectivecomparableapproving
Able to be trusted to do what is expected, or to be correct, every time.
Grammar: Before a noun or after a linking verb: a reliable car; the car is reliable.
Patterns
- reliable source of something
She is a reliable worker who is never late.
This car is reliable even in winter.
Find a reliable source before sharing the story.
Word forms
| comparative | more reliable |
|---|---|
| superlative | most reliable |
Common combinations
- reliable source
- A reliable source confirmed it.
- reliable information
- Use reliable information.
- highly reliable
- The engine is highly reliable.
- reliable service
- The bus offers reliable service.
Synonyms and how they differ
- dependable
- Dependable stresses that you can count on someone in need.
- trustworthy
- Trustworthy is mainly about honesty, mostly for people.
- consistent
- Consistent means the same each time, not necessarily trusted.
Opposites
Word family
- reliability noun
- the quality of being reliable
- reliably adverb
- in a dependable way
- rely verb
- to depend on
Commonly confused: reliable or reliant?
reliable vs reliant
Reliant means depending on something.
Practice
Which phrase best describes a reliable friend?
Choose one answer.
Reliable means dependable.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “reliable”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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