reliable
gb/ɹɪlˈaɪəbəl/ us/ɹɪlˈaɪəbəl/
B1
English
~ 3700
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Able to be trusted or counted on
If someone or something is reliable, you can trust them to do what they should do or to work well.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is reliable
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reliable' with 'available'. 'Reliable' means trustworthy or dependable, not simply present or ready.
Synonyms
dependable (Very close in meaning; often used in both personal and professional contexts.)
|
trustworthy (Emphasizes honesty and moral reliability more than performance.)
Antonyms
unreliable (Direct opposite; describes someone or something that cannot be trusted to perform well or as expected.)
Collocations
reliable source
|reliable information
|reliable friend
|reliable service
|reliable car
Themes
daily life
|work
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
|business
Examples
- She's one of the most reliable employees in the company.
- This old truck is surprisingly reliable even after all these years.
- You need a reliable babysitter if you want peace of mind.
- The website is not a reliable source of information.
- He's always on time—very reliable.
Learner examples
- My phone is very reliable.
- She is a reliable teacher.
- This bus is not reliable.
- He is a reliable friend.
- The machine is reliable.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reliable
IPA
GB/ɹɪlˈaɪəbəl/
US/ɹɪlˈaɪəbəl/
Syllables & stress
re - li - able (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (li)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: reliable
Word family
Core family
Related words
reliance
noun B2
reliant
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
overreliance
noun
Expressions
reliable friend
1/ɹɪlˈaɪəbəl fɹˈɛnd/
fixed phrase
A friend you can depend on
A person you know well who you can trust to help you or be there for you.
Examples
- She’s been a reliable friend since childhood.
- It’s important to have at least one reliable friend in your life.
reliable information
1/ɹɪlˈaɪəbəl ˌɪnfɔɹmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Information that can be trusted as true
Facts or details that are correct and can be trusted.
Examples
- We need reliable information before making a decision.
- The report is based on reliable information from experts.
reliable source
1/ɹɪlˈaɪəbəl sˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
A trustworthy provider of information
A person or thing that gives information you can trust.
Examples
- The journalist refused to publish the story without a reliable source.
- You should always check that your facts come from a reliable source.