unreliable — Not able to be trusted or depended upon; inconsistent in quality or performance and likely to fail when needed.
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: Not able to be trusted or depended upon; inconsistent in quality or performance and likely to fail when needed.
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbəl/
Example Sentences
- My weather app is so unreliable that I once packed a swimsuit for a snowstorm.
- The elevator in our building is unreliable, so I've become surprisingly fit.
- Wikipedia can be unreliable for academic research.
unreliable
ADJECTIVE[/ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbəl/]
Not able to be trusted or depended upon; inconsistent in quality or performance and likely to fail when needed.

Not able to be trusted or depended upon; inconsistent in quality or performance and likely to fail when needed.

This bridge unreliable, too pliable - the truth undeniable!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' combined with 'reliable,' which comes from the verb 'rely' (from Old French 'relier' meaning 'to bind together') plus the suffix '-able.'
Breakdown
un- (not) + rely (to depend on, from Old French 'to bind together') + -able (capable of being)
🎵Rhyme
📝Examples
“My weather app is so unreliable that I once packed a swimsuit for a snowstorm.”
“The elevator in our building is unreliable, so I've become surprisingly fit.”
“Wikipedia can be unreliable for academic research.”
“He's proven to be an unreliable business partner.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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