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 cell block is clean and doesn't smell of disinfectant. The trusties do all the work. The supply of trusties is always ample."
— Raymond Chandler, The Long Goodbye (1953)
"We usta have a rule that if a trusty shot an escaping convict, then the trusty would go free."
— James Howell Street, In my father's house (1941)
"The trusty was allowed to work outside the prison walls unsupervised."
How to use trusty
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- trusties
- Comparative
- trustier
- Superlative
- trustiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He grabbed his _____ old toolbox before heading out.
Etymology
Came into English from Middle English trusty, tristy, tresty, made up of trust and -y.
Synonyms
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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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