Words / C1

ri-LEYE-uh-ns/rɪˈlaɪəns/

Reliance is dependence on someone or something (reliance on): reliance on a volunteer, over-reliance. Rely (already in the dictionary) is the verb; independence sits opposite. One name is not a model.

Meaning

The state of depending on someone or something (reliance on).

Examples

• “Reliance on one night volunteer is not a staffing model.”
• “Rely is already in this course. Dependence is the close twin. A volunteer is a person. A model is a rota with a spare. Add the spare; thank the volunteer.”

Good to know

Dependence (on). Verb: rely (already in the dictionary). One volunteer ≠ a model.

Near in meaning

dependence

New