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

The struggles in England in 2014 gave way to him becoming India’s most dependable overseas batter as the powers of the legends around him — Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman — waned. —Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 12 May 2025

Francis describes Pope Leo as serious, focused and dependable, with a good sense of humor. —Eric Bradner, CNN Money, 9 May 2025

Is there anything as dependable as the slasher movie formula? —Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 9 May 2025

But the American side of that alliance suddenly looked less dependable in March, when President Donald Trump dressed down the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office and accused him of starting the war that began with his own country’s invasion. —Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 7 May 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