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

This romantic number takes design direction from a field of blooming cornflowers and is a pitch-perfect match for ballet flats, a treasured pair of kitten heels, or even sturdy and dependable white sneakers — looking flawless in each and every context. —Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 15 Mar. 2025

The books are only one of many reasons to visit these dependable depositories. —Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Mar. 2025

One of the most consistent things about The Pitt, as dependable as fourth-year med student Dennis Whitaker getting gross stuff splashed on him, is that Santos will be a pain in the ass. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2025

Somebody stable and … dependable, Patti Piver said of her daughter Cati meeting soldier John Blauvelt. —Peter Van Sant, CBS News, 8 Mar. 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