Dependable

/dɪˈpɛndəbəl/

adjectiveIntermediateCommonGeneral

Definitions

1

Worthy of trust; reliable; can be counted on.

/dɪˈpɛndəbəl/

adjectivepositiveIntermediate
General

Capable of being relied on; trustworthy.

He is a dependable worker who consistently meets deadlines.

💡 Simply: Being dependable is like having a super-trusty sidekick! It means you can always count on someone or something to be there when you need them, like your favorite pet.

👶 For kids: When something is dependable, it means you can count on it to always do what it's supposed to do. Like a good toy that never breaks!

More Examples

2

The car is dependable and gets me to work every day.

3

A dependable source of information is essential in research.

How It's Used

Business

"We need a dependable employee to handle customer service."

Personal Relationships

"She's a dependable friend; she always keeps her promises."

Engineering

"The new engine is a dependable piece of equipment."

From Middle English *dependen* (to depend), from Old French *dependre*, from Latin *dependere* (to hang down from), from *de-* (down) + *pendere* (to hang). The suffix '-able' indicates capability or worthiness.

The word 'dependable' became increasingly common in the 20th century, reflecting the growing emphasis on reliability and trust in various aspects of life.

Memory tip

Think of a person you can depend on – someone dependable is like that person!

dependibledependant

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written