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reliable

 - 4 dictionary results

re⋅li⋅a⋅ble

[ri-lahy-uh-buhl]
–adjective
that may be relied on; dependable in achievement, accuracy, honesty, etc.: reliable information.

Origin:
1560–70; rely + -able


re⋅li⋅a⋅bil⋅i⋅ty, re⋅li⋅a⋅ble⋅ness, noun
re⋅li⋅a⋅bly, adverb


trusty, authentic, consistent. Reliable, infallible, trustworthy apply to persons, objects, ideas, or information that can be depended upon with confident certainty. Reliable suggests consistent dependability of judgment, character, performance, or result: a reliable formula, judge, car, meteorologist. Infallible suggests the complete absence of error, breakdown, or poor performance: an infallible test, system, marksman. Trustworthy emphasizes the steady and honest dependability which encourages one's confidence, belief, or trust: trustworthy and accurate reports.


undependable, questionable, deceitful.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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re·li·a·ble   (rĭ-lī'ə-bəl)   
adj.  
  1. Capable of being relied on; dependable: a reliable assistant; a reliable car.

  2. Yielding the same or compatible results in different clinical experiments or statistical trials.

re·li'a·bil'i·ty, re·li'a·ble·ness n., re·li'a·bly adv.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean worthy of reliance or trust: a reliable source of information; a dependable worker; a responsible babysitter; a trustworthy report; a trusty alarm.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

reliable 
1569, raliabill, Scottish, from rely + -able. Not common before 1850; and execrated thereafter in Britain as an Americanism.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: re·li·able
Pronunciation: ri-'lI-&-b&l
Function: adjective
: giving the same result on successive trials reliable psychological test>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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