dependable

1 of 2

adjective

de·​pend·​able di-ˈpen-də-bəl How to pronounce dependable (audio)
Synonyms of dependable
: 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 How to pronounce dependable (audio)
noun
dependableness noun
dependably
di-ˈpen-də-blē How to pronounce dependable (audio)
adverb

dependability

2 of 2

noun

de·​pend·​abil·​i·​ty də̇ˌpendəˈbilətē How to pronounce dependability (audio)
(ˌ)dēˌ-, 
-ətē, 
-i
plural -es
: the quality or state of being dependable

Synonyms of dependable

Relevance

Adjective

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of dependable in a Sentence

Adjective seeking a dependable person to look after their summer home in the off-season
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Strong passwords, multifactor authentication, current software, antivirus protection and dependable backups all cover risks that a firewall cannot handle. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Particularly in personal injury, where demand exists at all hours of the day and night, dependable accessibility can distinguish a firm that is willing to prioritize client needs over its internal schedule. — Jason Phillips, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026 You are allowed to be dependable without being endlessly available. — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 31 Aug. 2026 Backups like second-year center Chavez Thompson of Cocoa are among the options that the coaches feel will be dependable depth, and a number of them could get more game experience on Saturday late in the guarantee game. — Bob Ferrante, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dependable

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

depend + -able

First Known Use

Adjective

1735, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dependable was in 1735

Rhymes for dependable

See All Rhymes for dependable

Browse Nearby Words

dependability
dependable
dependableness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dependable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dependable. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dependable

adjective
de·​pend·​able di-ˈpen-də-bəl How to pronounce dependable (audio)
: capable of being depended on : trustworthy, reliable
a dependable car
dependability
-ˌpen-də-ˈbil-ət-ē How to pronounce dependable (audio)
noun
dependably
-ˈpen-də-blē How to pronounce dependable (audio)
adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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