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

dependability

2 of 2

noun

de·​pend·​abil·​i·​ty də̇ˌpendəˈbilətē 

(ˌ)dēˌ-, 

-ətē, 

-i

plural -es

: the quality or state of being dependable

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 result is a retail construction market that favors dependable, everyday shopping destinations over large, showcase-style developments. — Arthur Zackiewicz, Footwear News, 14 July 2026

The 6-foot, 227-pound Robinson (50 tackles, three pass breakups, four hurries) is active, dependable and rarely out of position. — Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026

People who knew Salgado Araujo described him as dependable and kind, according to a GoFundMe for his family. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 9 July 2026

Alison Lohman spent the 2000s quietly becoming one of the decade’s most dependable young actresses, holding her own opposite Michelle Pfeiffer in White Oleander (2002), Nicolas Cage in Matchstick Men (2003), and Ewan McGregor in Big Fish (2003). — Jp Mangalindan, Entertainment Weekly, 9 July 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