DEPENDABLE

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does dependable mean? 

• DEPENDABLE (adjective)
  The adjective DEPENDABLE has 4 senses:

1. worthy of reliance or trust

2. worthy of being depended on

3. consistent in performance or behavior

4. financially safe

  Familiarity information: DEPENDABLE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DEPENDABLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Worthy of reliance or trust

Synonyms:

dependable; reliable

Context example:

a dependable worker

Similar:

certain; sure (reliable in operation or effect)

tested; time-tested; tried; tried and true (tested and proved to be reliable)

undeviating (used of values and principles; not subject to change; steady)

Also:

trustworthy; trusty (worthy of trust or belief)

Antonym:

undependable (not worthy of reliance or trust)

Derivation:

dependability; dependableness (the quality of being dependable or reliable)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Worthy of being depended on

Synonyms:

dependable; honest; reliable; true

Context example:

I would be true for there are those who trust me

Similar:

trustworthy; trusty (worthy of trust or belief)

Derivation:

dependability; dependableness (the quality of being dependable or reliable)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Consistent in performance or behavior

Synonyms:

dependable; rock-steady; steady-going

Context example:

a steady-going family man

Similar:

steady (not subject to change or variation especially in behavior)

Derivation:

dependability; dependableness (the quality of being dependable or reliable)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Financially safe

Synonyms:

dependable; good; safe; secure

Context example:

a secure investment

Similar:

sound (financially secure and safe)

Derivation:

dependableness (the quality of being dependable or reliable)

 Context examples 

The company hopes to reduce the cost of future space travel by developing a dependable system of retrieving and reusing launch rockets for future missions.

(SpaceX Completes Successful Rocket Launch, VOA News)

Large, warm-blooded dinosaurian herbivores weren't able to exist close to the equator—there was not enough dependable plant food.

(Big dinosaurs steered clear of the tropics, NSF)