reliably
gb/ɹɪlˈaɪəbli/ us/ɹɪlˈaɪəbli/
B2
English
~ 9900
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
property
1
In a dependable, trustworthy way
In a way that you can trust to work or be the same every time.
Usage pattern:
to do [something] reliably
Common mistake:
Many learners confuse the adverb "reliably" with the adjective "reliable" and say things like "The machine is working very reliable" instead of "The machine is working very reliably". Remember: use "reliable" before a noun or after "be" (a reliable car), and use "reliably" to describe how something is done (The car starts reliably). Learners also sometimes say "I can reliably on him" instead of using the verb "rely" correctly: "I can rely on him."
Synonyms
dependably (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal and less common in everyday speech.)
|
consistently (Focuses more on doing something in the same way every time, not always on being trustworthy.)
|
steadily (Emphasizes being continuous and without sudden change, and may not always imply trustworthiness.)
Antonyms
unreliably (Shows that something often fails or cannot be trusted to work or behave as expected.)
|
inconsistently (Emphasizes changing results or behavior so that you cannot rely on it.)
Collocations
work reliably
|perform reliably
|operate reliably
|run reliably
|deliver reliably
|provide reliably
Themes
daily life
|work
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The old car still starts reliably, even in cold weather.
- Our internet connection has not been working reliably since the storm.
- This service reliably delivers packages within two days.
- She reliably meets every deadline, no matter how busy she is.
- The software now runs reliably after the latest update.
Learner examples
- My phone does not charge reliably.
- He arrives reliably at 8 a.m. every day.
- This app saves my work reliably.
- The train does not come reliably in winter.
- She answers my emails reliably.
unknown
technical
C1
property
2
With consistent, accurate results
In a way that gives correct results again and again, so people can trust the test or method.
Usage pattern:
[method/test/model] can reliably [verb] [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use only "accurately" when they mean that a method is both correct and trustworthy over time, as in scientific writing. In many technical contexts, "reliably" is preferred when you want to stress that results are both accurate and repeatable, not just correct once.
Synonyms
accurately (Focuses mainly on being correct; "reliably" adds the idea of being repeatable and trustworthy over time.)
|
consistently (Stresses sameness of results but does not always imply that the results are correct or scientifically valid.)
Antonyms
inaccurately (Shows that measurements or predictions are not correct, and therefore cannot be trusted.)
|
unreliably (Highlights that results cannot be depended on because they may change or fail without warning.)
Collocations
reliably detect
|reliably measure
|reliably predict
|reliably identify
|reliably estimate
Themes
science
|technology
|research
|statistics
Examples
- This test cannot reliably detect the disease in its early stages.
- The sample size is too small to reliably measure the effect of the new drug.
- With more data, the model will be able to reliably predict customer demand.
- The device must operate in a wide temperature range and still reliably record the readings.
- No current method can reliably identify all the different species in the region.
Learner examples
- This machine can reliably count the number of people.
- The exam does not reliably show the students’ real level.
- We need more data to reliably say which answer is correct.
- The tool can reliably find small problems in the system.
- The app cannot reliably tell if the user is online.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reliably
IPA
GB/ɹɪlˈaɪəbli/
US/ɹɪlˈaɪəbli/
Syllables & stress
re - li - ably (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (li)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: reliably
- Plural: reliablies
Word family
Forms
reliablies
noun
Core family
Related words
reliance
noun B2
reliant
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.