What does dependable mean?
Word: Dependable
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Dependable means able to be trusted to do what is needed or promised, every time.
Synonyms: reliable, trustworthy, faithful
How do you spell dependable?
Syllables: de - pend - a - ble
Tricky part: Students who hear di at the start write dipendable, but the first vowel is e, as in decide.
Watch out for: dipendable, dependabel, dependble
Memory tip: A dependable friend is one you can depend on, so write depend in full and then add the ending you hear.
Dependable in a sentence
Example 1: Our old scooter is slow but dependable.
Example 2: Mateo is a dependable friend who always keeps his word.
Example 3: We need a dependable person to water the class plants during the holidays.
Fun Fact
Depend comes from the Latin dependere, to hang down. When you depend on someone, you hang on to them for support.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Choose the suffix that completes the word:
depend
a) able
b) eble
c) ible
d) uble
Show answer
a) able. Depend is a complete word, and it takes able.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
dependable
a) unreliable
b) steady
c) trusty
d) loyal
Show answer
a) unreliable. A trusty, steady or loyal friend is like a dependable one; unreliable means you cannot count on it.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the correctly spelt word:
a) sinsere
b) punctul
c) honist
d) dependable
Show answer
d) dependable. Punctual, sincere and honest are misspelt here; dependable is correct.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
ldbpdeaene
a) dependable
b) expendable
c) dependence
d) deplorable
Show answer
a) dependable. Two d's and a b: expendable needs an x, dependence a c, and deplorable an o and an r.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these describes a dependable classmate?
a) always returns borrowed books on time
b) sometimes tells funny stories
c) often borrows books from the library
d) usually sits near the window
Show answer
a) always returns borrowed books on time
2. Which bus would you call dependable?
a) a bus with soft new seats
b) a bus that is painted bright red
c) a bus that always comes on time
d) a bus that is very fast
Show answer
c) a bus that always comes on time
