unreliable
uhn-rih-LEYE-uh-bl
Unreliable (adj) means not able to be trusted or depended on to perform consistently. Example: “His old car was unreliable and kept breaking down.”
adj
1
Not able to be trusted or depended on to perform consistently.
"His old car was unreliable and kept breaking down."
"The witness was considered unreliable by the jury."
How to use unreliable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot consistently trustworthy or dependable — used for people, sources, or equipment.
Common pairings
unreliable source
unreliable narrator
notoriously unreliable
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Word forms
- Plural
- unreliables
- Comparative
- more unreliable
- Superlative
- most unreliable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
His old car was _____ and kept breaking down.
Etymology
From un- ("not") plus reliable.
Synonyms
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undependable
treacherous
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for unreliable
See all rhymes for unreliable →Frequently asked questions
What does “unreliable” mean?
The word “unreliable” means not able to be trusted or depended on to perform consistently. In plain terms, not consistently trustworthy or dependable — used for people, sources, or equipment.
How do you pronounce “unreliable”?
“Unreliable” is pronounced uhn-rih-LEYE-uh-bl (/ˌʌn.ɹəˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “unreliable” in a sentence?
Here is “unreliable” used in a sentence: “His old car was unreliable and kept breaking down.”
What part of speech is “unreliable”?
“Unreliable” is an adjective.
Is “unreliable” a common word?
“Unreliable” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
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