Words / B2

di-PEND-uh-bl/dɪˈpendəbl/

Dependable means able to be trusted to do what is needed: a dependable source; dependable data. Reliable is the closest twin; trustworthy stresses honesty. A dependable source still needs a named author and date. Mix-up: dependable vs dependent (relying on); dependant (a person you support, British noun); do not write dependable for a brand slogan with no provenance.

Meaning

Able to be trusted to do what is needed.

Examples

• “A dependable source still needs a named author and date, the handbook said.”
• “A dependable witness still needs corroboration, the citizenship paper said, which is the evidence sense.”

Good to know

a dependable source / witness / dataset. Close: reliable / trustworthy. Trap: dependent / dependant. Methods, citizenship, and science. Able to be trusted — name the author, the date, and the corroboration.

Near in meaning

reliable, trustworthy, steady

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