dependable

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

Synonyms of dependable

• reliable
• responsible
• safe
• good

Examples of dependable in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Their advice for people nearing retirement in this economy is to make a plan with an expert, cut expenses and increase dependable income like amenities, bonds or CDs. —Susan-Elizabeth Littlefield, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026

These facilities require uninterrupted electricity to ensure smooth operations, making dependable power generation essential. —Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 25 Apr. 2026

The pick may not make sense initially, but having dependable man coverage on the boundary will be extremely important to the Bills’ new scheme. —Joe Buscaglia, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026

Before that, Gardner Minshew failed as a bridge quarterback and Aidan O’Connell didn’t quite develop into a dependable starter. —Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

depend + -able

First Known Use

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