rely
rih-LEYE
Rely (verb) means to depend on someone or something; to trust that it will do what is needed. Example: “You can rely on her to finish the job on time.”
verb
1
To depend on someone or something; to trust that it will do what is needed.
"Hodgson also has Wayne Rooney to call on once he has served a two-match suspension at the start of the tournament - and it is abundantly clear England will rely as heavily as ever on his ability to shape the outcome of important games."
— Phil McNulty, Norway 0-1 England (2012)
"Cookieless sessions enable you to take advantage of session state without relying on browser cookies."
— Stephen Walther, ASP.NET unleashed (2004)
"You can rely on her to finish the job on time."
"The village relies on rainfall for its water supply."
"Many small businesses rely on local customers to stay open through the winter."
How to use rely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCounting on someone or something to come through for you.
Common mistake
Always followed by "on" or "upon" — you rely ON someone, not just "rely someone."
Common pairings
rely on
rely heavily on
rely upon
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- relies
- Past tense
- relied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You can _____ on her to finish the job on time.
Etymology
From Old French relier ("to fasten, bind"), from Latin religare ("to bind fast") — the same root that gives us "rely" its sense of being "tied to" something for support.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
stand on its own
Related words
Rhymes for rely
See all rhymes for rely →Frequently asked questions
What does “rely” mean?
The word “rely” means to depend on someone or something; to trust that it will do what is needed. In plain terms, counting on someone or something to come through for you.
How do you pronounce “rely”?
“Rely” is pronounced rih-LEYE (/ɹɪˈlaɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “rely” in a sentence?
Here is “rely” used in a sentence: “You can rely on her to finish the job on time.”
What is the opposite of “rely”?
The opposite of “rely” — its antonyms — is stand on its own.
What part of speech is “rely”?
“Rely” is a verb.
Where does the word “rely” come from?
The word “rely” comes from Latin. From Old French relier ("to fasten, bind"), from Latin religare ("to bind fast") — the same root that gives us "rely" its sense of being "tied to" something for support.
Is “rely” a common word?
“Rely” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
Which preposition goes with "rely": "rely on" or "rely in"?
The correct forms are "rely on" or "rely upon," never "rely in." "Rely" almost always takes "on" before its object, as in "rely on a friend" or "rely on the weather." "Upon" is a slightly more formal alternative with the same meaning.
What is the difference between "rely on" and "depend on"?
The two are very close in meaning and often interchangeable. "Rely on" tends to stress trust and confidence that something will come through. "Depend on" tends to stress need, meaning you cannot manage without it.
What is the difference between "rely" and "trust"?
"Trust" means to believe in someone's honesty or reliability, a feeling of confidence. "Rely" means to actually depend on someone or something for a needed outcome, an action based on that confidence. You trust a colleague, and because of that you rely on them to finish the work.
What is the difference between "rely on" and "count on"?
Both mean to depend on someone or something with confidence, and they are largely interchangeable. "Count on" is slightly more informal and often used in speech, as in "you can count on me." "Rely on" fits both casual and formal contexts.
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