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adj B2 Upper-Intermediate

trusty

TRUHS-tee

Trusty (adj) means Reliable and dependable, especially through long use or experience. Example: “He grabbed his trusty old toolbox before heading out.”

adj
1
Reliable and dependable, especially through long use or experience.
"He grabbed his trusty old toolbox before heading out."
noun
1
A prisoner given special privileges for good behaviour.
"The trusty was allowed to work outside the prison walls unsupervised."

How to use trusty

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAs an adjective, describes something reliable you've depended on for a long time; as a noun, it refers to a trusted prisoner.

When to use it

The adjective sense has a slightly old-fashioned, affectionate tone, as in "trusty steed" or "trusty companion."

Common pairings
trusty companion trusty old car

Word forms

trustier comparative, trusties plural, Trustys plural, trustiest superlative

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He grabbed his _____ old toolbox before heading out.

Etymology

From Middle English trusty, tristy, tresty, equivalent to trust + -y.

Origin: Middle English

Related words

Rhymes for trusty

See all rhymes for trusty →

Frequently asked questions

What does “trusty” mean?

The word “trusty” means reliable and dependable, especially through long use or experience. In plain terms, as an adjective, describes something reliable you've depended on for a long time; as a noun, it refers to a trusted prisoner.

How do you pronounce “trusty”?

“Trusty” is pronounced TRUHS-tee (/ˈtɹʌsti/ in IPA).

How do you use “trusty” in a sentence?

Here is “trusty” used in a sentence: “He grabbed his trusty old toolbox before heading out.”

What part of speech is “trusty”?

Depending on how it is used, “trusty” can be an adjective and a noun.

How many meanings does “trusty” have?

“Trusty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: reliable and dependable, especially through long use or experience.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from Wiktionary