Cool MateReliable vs Trusted
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Reliable
Top 1,000 (very common)B1adjective
Trusted
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Reliable | Trusted | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈlaɪəbl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈlaɪəbl/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈtrʌstɪd//🇺🇸 //ˈtrʌstəd// |
| Meaning | Someone or something you can trust to work well or be true. | Believed to be honest and reliable. |
| Example | You can always count on her; she is very reliable. | She is a trusted advisor in our organization. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | be, prove, seem, extremely, fairly, very, as, be, prove, seem, extremely, fairly, very, as | trusted source, trusted friend, trusted advisor |
| Antonyms | unreliable, inconsistent, untrustworthy | untrusted, distrusted, doubtful, suspicious |
| Common mistakes | Using 'reliable' with a subject that can't be trusted., Confusing 'reliable' with 'reliant' which has a different meaning., Using 'reliable' to mean 'accurate' which is not the same. | Confused with 'trustworthy' - both are similar, but 'trusted' implies past approval., Using 'trusted' inappropriately for things that cannot be trusted, like abstract ideas. |
| Usage notes | Use 'reliable' in contexts where you want to express trustworthiness. It's suitable for both formal and informal settings, but avoid it in overly casual speech. | Use 'trusted' for people or sources that are reliable. It is neutral, suitable for most contexts. Avoid in slang or overly casual settings. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Reliable vs Trusted
What's the difference between Reliable and Trusted?
Reliable: Someone or something you can trust to work well or be true. Trusted: Believed to be honest and reliable.
Can you show an example of each?
Reliable: You can always count on her; she is very reliable. Trusted: She is a trusted advisor in our organization.
Can I use Reliable and Trusted interchangeably?
Not always. Reliable and Trusted are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.