dependable

1 of 2

adjective

de·​pend·​able di-ˈpen-də-bəl 

: capable of being trusted or depended on : reliable

a dependable source of income

a dependable assistant

needs a dependable car for work

dependability

di-ˌpen-də-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

dependableness noun

dependably

di-ˈpen-də-blē 

adverb

dependableness

2 of 2

noun

de·​pend·​able·​ness

plural -es

: dependability

Synonyms of dependable

Adjective

• reliable
• responsible
• safe
• good

Examples of dependable in a Sentence

Adjective

seeking a dependable person to look after their summer home in the off-season

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Navy wants its carrier aircraft to retain dependable navigation when the final approach matters most. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026

Bonds have therefore long been considered the most boring bit of finance, the dour, dependable sibling to the racier, more glamorous stock market. — Robin Wigglesworth, Fortune, 29 Sep. 2026

The search for alternatives comes as the historically negative correlation between equities and bonds has become less dependable amid supply shocks, inflation pressures and bond market volatility. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

Meanwhile, Canadians, among America’s most dependable international visitors, increasingly choose to vacation elsewhere, hitting Florida hard. — Rachel J.c. Fu, Sun Sentinel, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

depend + -able

First Known Use

Adjective

1735, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for dependable

• spendable
• amendable
• commendable
• expendable
• extendable
• undependable

Kids Definition

dependable

adjective

de·​pend·​able di-ˈpen-də-bəl 

: capable of being depended on : trustworthy, reliable

a dependable car

dependability

-ˌpen-də-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

dependably

-ˈpen-də-blē 

adverb