Reliable Meaning
Reliable Definition & Usage
Able to be trusted to do something or behave in a particular way.
Examples
- "My grandfather is a reliable source of wisdom when I need advice."
- "We need a reliable car for our road trip."
- "John is always reliable when it comes to completing work on time."
- "Sarah is a reliable friend who will always be there for you."
- "This software is reliable, it hasn't crashed in over a year."
Of a system or process, consistently performing well or meeting required standards.
Examples
- "The engineers ensured that the new server system was reliable and could handle the company's demands."
- "Reliable network connections are crucial for remote work."
- "In business, reliable suppliers are essential to maintaining customer satisfaction."
- "A reliable financial forecasting model is key to long-term strategic planning."
- "This data logger is reliable for recording temperature fluctuations over extended periods."
Cultural Context
Reliability is a highly valued trait in many cultures, especially in Western societies, where the concept of trust plays a central role in both personal relationships and professional environments. In cultures with strong communal or business networks, reliability is closely linked to reputation and long-term success.
The Reliable Mechanic
Story
The Reliable Mechanic
Tom had always known his grandfather to be reliable. Not just in the way he told stories or worked in the garden, but also in the small, steadfast things that people take for granted. Whether it was waking up at dawn to prepare breakfast for the family or fixing things around the house, his grandfather's dependability was something Tom admired deeply. It was a quality that Tom had inherited, though he didn't always recognize it until his first job interview. He arrived early, something he had learned from his grandfather’s insistence that punctuality showed respect for others’ time. The interview was for a position at a well-known engineering firm, and the moment he shook hands with his future boss, Tom could tell that being reliable was high on the list of what the company valued. As they discussed the position, Tom emphasized his experience with high-stakes projects, where the systems he helped design had to be reliable under pressure. ‘We need engineers who can deliver the right results, every time,’ his boss had said. Tom’s reliability wasn’t just about completing tasks but about consistently meeting expectations. A few years later, Tom was now the project manager overseeing a team working on a complex network. His role was to ensure that the system was reliable, that it would function as expected even when the stakes were high. As the team ran their final checks, he knew the importance of having a system that customers could trust. The success of their project came down to the reliability of every component, from the smallest cable to the most intricate software. That evening, as Tom sat on his porch, looking over the city, he remembered his grandfather again. The man had always been there, reliable, strong, and steady. Tom thought to himself that the ability to be reliable was not just an asset in work or family but in every aspect of life. The word 'reliable' had taken on a deeper meaning for him—no longer just a descriptor for actions, but a foundation of trust that shaped every decision he made, every project he led, and every relationship he built.
Related Words
