4 syllables: de, pend, a, ble. Stress on pend.
dip-EN-duh-buhl
/dɪˈpɛndəbəl/
dependable is pronounced dip-EN-duh-buhl (/dɪˈpɛndəbəl/). It has four syllables (de-pend-a-ble), with the stress on "pend". Dependable refers to someone or something reliable, trustworthy, and consistently capable of delivering expected results. It implies steadiness under pressure and a track record of dependability, making others confident in their performance or support. The word emphasizes reliability over novelty, often used to describe people, products, or systems that can be counted on.
Dependable refers to someone or something reliable, trustworthy, and consistently capable of delivering expected results. It implies steadiness under pressure and a track record of dependability, making others confident in their performance or support. The word emphasizes reliability over novelty, often used to describe people, products, or systems that can be counted on.
"You can count on her—she's dependable even when the project gets tough."
"The engine is dependable and requires minimal maintenance."
"They chose a dependable supplier to avoid production delays."
Pronounce as di-PEN-duh-buhl, with primary stress on the second syllable. IPA US/UK/AU: /dɪˈpɛn.də.bəl/. Break it into three syllables: de-PEN-da-ble, stressing the middle syllable. Ensure the final -ble sounds as a soft 'bəl' rather than a hard 'bul'. Visualize lips: start with a neutral vowel, then a clear short E, then a schwa for the middle of the last two syllables, ending with a light 'bəl'.
Two common errors: 1) Misplacing the primary stress, saying de-PEN-da-ble with stress on the first syllable. Correction: place stress on the second syllable: di-PEN-duh-bəl. 2) Slurring the middle 'da' or pronouncing the final -ble as 'bul' or 'blee'. Correction: keep the final as -bə(l) with a subtle schwa, not a strong 'loo' or 'lee'.
US: /dɪˈpɛn.də.bəl/ with rhoticity, clear /ɪ/ in first vowel, unstressed 'de' as /dɪ/ and final -ble as /bəl/. UK: /dɪˈpen.də.bəl/—often less rhotic in some regions; vowel quality is similar but with crisper consonants; AU: /dɪˈpen.də.bəl/ tends to flatter vowels, slightly tighter final consonant, and a more even rhythm; overall value on syllables remains three, but vowel length and quality may vary.
Three phonetic challenges: 1) The three-syllable rhythm with primary stress on the second syllable can trip your natural cadence; 2) The /d/ + /ə/ sequence creates a subtle schwa in the middle; keep the 'da' light and avoid inserting extra vowel between /d/ and /ә/; 3) The final /bəl/ requires a soft, concise b followed by a weak vowel and light l. Practice careful mouth positioning and rhythmic syllable timing to master these.
A useful point: the secondary syllable carries the strongest stress, so you’ll hear a distinct emphasis on the short /ˈpɛn/ portion in careful speech. Ensure the vowel quality in /ɪ/ in the first syllable is light and the middle /ə/ is a neutral schwa; this prevents overpronouncing the 'de-' prefix and maintains natural flow.
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Dependable comes from the phrase ‘in depend’ or ‘to depend on,’ with the suffix -able indicating capability or suitability. It derives from Middle English and Old French influences on the broader family of depend- terms meaning to hang upon or rely on. The modern sense—capable of being depended upon—solidified in English over centuries as commerce, governance, and industry demanded trustworthiness in people and systems. The word builds on the root depend-, which itself traces to Latin dependere (to hang from, depend on), formed from de- (down from) and pendere (to hang, weigh). Through evolving usage, dependable shifted from describing people who could be relied upon to a broader quality attributed to objects, services, and processes that consistently meet expectations. First known uses appear in 15th–16th century texts as a descriptor for trustworthy individuals, gradually broadening to objects and institutions in modern English. In contemporary usage, dependable is a positive, formal attribute often favored in professional and consumer contexts where reliability is essential. The sense of consistent performance under varying conditions has kept the term relevant across industries, technology, and everyday life, reinforcing social expectations about dependability as a valued trait.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "dependable" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "dependable" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "dependable"
-ble sounds
-me) sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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