reliable

1 of 2

adjective

re·​li·​able ri-ˈlī-ə-bəl How to pronounce reliable (audio)
1
: suitable or fit to be relied on : dependable
2
: giving the same result on successive trials
reliableness noun
reliably adverb

reliable

2 of 2

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
Adjective
The best toasters Our favorite toasters, even the biggest one on this list, are relatively compact, reliable, and easy-to-use. Megan Wahn, Bon Appétit, 19 Apr. 2024 Figuring out how to make sure models that are supposed to be reliable don’t make up false information has vexed researchers. Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 18 Apr. 2024 Parents must determine on their own that the individual is reliable. Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2024 The science of siblings The Science of Siblings is a new series from NPR exploring the ways our siblings can influence us, from our money and our mental health all the way down to our very molecules How reliable is human memory? Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 17 Apr. 2024 This will at least tell you that the casino is safe and reliable. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024 The reliable incubator of future Coachella performers in their early raw days is Desert Daze. Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 15 Apr. 2024 WuXi companies developed a reputation for low-cost and reliable work by thousands of chemists who could create new molecules and operate complex equipment to make them in bulk. Christina Jewett, New York Times, 15 Apr. 2024 Universities and public gardens with plant databases such as the U-Conn. Plant Database or Missouri Botanical Garden are reliable resources, as are regional gardening books. Karen Hugg, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
Noun
The 17-6 victory by Turner’s first Chargers team affirmed the old reliables about protecting the ball and not panicking. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2024 Wood played many characters who were true-blue reliable, and others who were high-strung and neurotic. Tim Gray, Variety, 20 July 2023 But while newcomers may come and go, old reliables like Vieng Thai remain. Brooke Viggiano, Chron, 16 Feb. 2023 The old reliable is a classic cotton blanket. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 31 Jan. 2023 The old reliable is the trusty protein bar. Destin Demarion, Outdoor Life, 31 July 2020 And an old reliable in terms of comfy slip-ons — the storied Crocs Classic Clog — is on sale for just $25. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 25 Nov. 2022 The low-budget option is the definition of old reliable. Madison Yauger, PEOPLE.com, 21 July 2022 This old reliable is oil-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, and allergy-tested. ELLE, 15 Mar. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'reliable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1569, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1852, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of reliable was in 1569

Dictionary Entries Near reliable

Cite this Entry

“Reliable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reliable. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

reliable

adjective
re·​li·​able
ri-ˈlī-ə-bəl
: fit to be trusted : dependable
reliableness noun
reliably
-blē
adverb

Medical Definition

reliable

adjective
re·​li·​able ri-ˈlī-ə-bəl How to pronounce reliable (audio)
: giving the same result on successive trials
a reliable psychological test

More from Merriam-Webster on reliable

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