# dependable

/dɪˈpɛndəbəɫ/ (US) · /dɪpˈɛndəbəl/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dependable
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

reliable and steady. You can trust this person or thing to do what they are supposed to do every time.

For teachers: consistently reliable in performance or character. Often used to describe employees, machinery, or vehicles that function without failure.

## Examples

- She is a dependable worker who never misses a deadline.
- The old truck is not very fast, but it is dependable enough for short trips around the farm.
- In an era of volatile markets, investors often seek out dependable assets that provide modest but steady returns regardless of economic shifts.

## Usage notes

- Typically used both attributively before a noun and predicatively after linking verbs like 'be' or 'seem'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.