re·li·able
ri-ˈlī-ə-bəl 
1
: suitable or fit to be relied on : dependable
2
: giving the same result on successive trials
reliableness
noun
: one that is reliable
Examples of reliable in a Sentence
Adjective
He's not very reliable. You can't always count on him to do what he says he'll do.
We can't write a report without reliable data.
We need more reliable information before we can take action.
Recent Examples on the Web
Megan Feringa, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
With a unique background as both a former classroom teacher and a network administrator, Grenier has led the district in building reliable, accessible technology systems that support teaching and learning for all students and staff.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
The explorers, in over their heads, ran for cover to an old reliable, and arrived at the house’s whiskey sour: a sweet, frothy delicacy topped with exquisitely marbled foam.
—Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reliable
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Adjective
Ellie Roebuck Hasn’t been capped since 2023 but back in the WSL with Aston Villa and back in Wiegman’s squad as a reliable reserve ‘keeper.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2026
With a unique background as both a former classroom teacher and a network administrator, Grenier has led the district in building reliable, accessible technology systems that support teaching and learning for all students and staff.
—Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2026
Noun
With 50 seconds remaining in the Warriors’ play-in game against the host Clippers at Intuit Dome, Golden State’s two aging Hall of Famers went back to old reliable.
—Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
The explorers, in over their heads, ran for cover to an old reliable, and arrived at the house’s whiskey sour: a sweet, frothy delicacy topped with exquisitely marbled foam.
—Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reliable
Cite this Entry
“Reliable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reliable. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
reliable
adjective
re·li·able
ri-ˈlī-ə-bəl
: giving the same result on successive trials
a reliable psychological test
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