reliable

Definitions

re- (back) + ligāre (bind, here worn to li) + -able = 'able to be bound back onto.' Picture leaning your weight back against a rope — if it holds, it's reliable. The physical knot became a metaphor for trust: a reliable source, car, or friend is one whose 'rope' won't snap when you put weight on it.

Common Collocations

• 1.reliable source可靠来源
• 2.reliable information可靠信息
• 3.highly reliable高度可靠
• 4.safe and reliable安全可靠

Example Sentences

• 1.

  We need a reliable supplier who delivers on time every week.

• 2.

  Her car is old but surprisingly reliable.

• 3.

  Always check whether the website is a reliable source before citing it.

Easily Confused

reliable vs dependable vs trustworthy — reliable and dependable are near-identical (consistent, won't let you down), but dependable leans more toward people you can lean on emotionally. trustworthy is specifically about honesty — you can believe what they say, not just count on them to show up.