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

• calculable
• good
• reliable
• responsible
• safe
• secure
• solid
• steady
• sure
• tried
• tried-and-true
• true
• trustable
• trustworthy
• trusty

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

At a minimum, professionals are looking for dependable inventory, top-quality and professional-grade equipment, effortless trade-ins, excellent customer service and reliable and fast repairs. —Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 Apr. 2025

But over the past couple of years, such measures have served as less dependable signals of what people actually do. —Paul Davidson, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025

The only dependable alliance is an alliance of one. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2025

Renfrow With his 6-foot-4 frame, dependable hands and red zone potential, McMillan has drawn comparisons to Mike Evans, Tampa Bay’s All-Pro receiver whom Canales coached for a year as the Bucs’ offensive coordinator. —Joseph Person, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

see depend

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