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Sononym dependable5/28/2023 We use the word “dependable” more commonly to describe people, though it does still apply to inanimate or abstract objects, too.įor example, one could say that the public transport in your area is dependable if you experience it as consistently on time when you need it. Once again, notice that reliability is part of the definition, highlighting just how similar in meaning the two words are. ![]() The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary describes the word “dependable” as something “that can be relied on to do what you want or need” ( source). ![]() If something were unreliable, it would mean it performs that task erratically.įor example, a damaged charger cable might be unreliable and only work in certain conditions, meaning you cannot count on it performing its function each time you plug it in.Īs the examples highlighted, reliability is not limited to either a person or a thing we can use it to describe humans, objects, and abstract concepts alike - so long as they do what we expect of them consistently. Many often use reliability to describe a non-critical function, like a worker fulfilling a role their boss hired them for or created for them. Therein lies the subtle difference, which we will further detail in the below section about dependability. We can say this of both people and objects, such as a “reliable car,” which would be something you drive without fear of it breaking down, and a “reliable coworker” would be someone you can count on to do what the boss needs. To rely on something is to put your trust in it confidently. The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes “reliable” as “suitable or fit to be relied on, or dependable” ( source).Īgain, the fact that the dictionary mentions dependability when defining the word “reliable” shows how closely related these two words are. There are some 2,133 other ways of saying something is “reliable” and 1,361 alternatives to “dependable” ( source). The case of reliable versus dependable is not an isolated one, though - the English language is full of words linked in meaning. There are times when this isn’t possible, and, as a communicator, you must pick one. The one distinction we made above is mostly academic and relies on having an intimate understanding of the situation that you describe. Since the two words relate so closely in meaning, it isn’t impossible to describe something reliable as dependable, and vice versa. ![]() Would it be possible for something to be both reliable and dependable at the same time? In short, yes. To use an old saying, when one thing depends on another, you “put all your eggs in one basket,” so you would hope that your faith is well-placed! Can Something Be Both Reliable and Dependable? When we depend on a particular outcome, the control is out of our hands, and a failure would carry far more impactful consequences. ![]() Still, they could also get the task done themselves if delegation wasn’t possible. This assigned task can often be something within your control that you could get done without the other person’s help, but the reliable assistance of another makes completing the task easier or more efficient.įor example, every manager appreciates having a reliable team of employees around them to get the job done.
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