Rely: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿค
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rely

 

[ rษชหˆlaษช ]

Verb / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Verb

on someone

To depend on or trust in someone or something to provide support, help, or security.

Synonyms

count on, depend on, trust in.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rely

Use 'rely' when you want to talk about needing someone or something in a general, dependable way. It is often used when expressing confidence in someone's ability.

  • I rely on my friends for emotional support.
  • You can always rely on Sarah to finish her work on time.
depend on

Use 'depend on' when emphasizing necessity or when the outcome is significantly affected by the person or thing in question. It's often used in more serious or critical situations.

  • The success of this project depends on the team's hard work.
  • You should not depend on a single source of income.
trust in

Use 'trust in' when talking about having faith or confidence in someone or something in a deeper or more emotional sense. It often suggests a moral or ethical dimension.

  • I trust in her ability to lead the team.
  • He has always trusted in the fairness of the judicial system.
count on

Use 'count on' in informal contexts when you need to express that you expect someone to do something. This implies a sense of assurance but is slightly more casual.

  • You can count on me to help you move this weekend.
  • We can always count on John to bring snacks.

Examples of usage

  • I rely on my best friend to always be there for me.
  • She relies on her experience to make important decisions.
  • We rely on technology for communication in our modern world.
Context #2 | Verb

information

To believe that information is accurate and can be trusted.

Synonyms

believe, depend on, trust.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rely

Used when you need someone or something for support or help, especially over a long period of time.

  • I can always rely on my friends for emotional support
  • Many elderly people rely on their pensions
trust

Used when you have confidence in someone's reliability, truth, or ability based on past experiences or inherent belief.

  • I trust my doctor with my health
  • She trusts her instincts when making decisions
believe

Used when you accept something as true or correct, often without needing proof.

  • I believe in fairy tales
  • She believes that honesty is the best policy
depend on

Used when your needs or outcomes are contingent on someone or something else, often indicating necessity or obligation.

  • Children depend on their parents for their upbringing
  • The project's success depends on everyone's efforts

Examples of usage

  • I rely on this source for the latest news updates.
  • Don't rely on rumors, always verify the information.
  • She relies on her intuition to guide her decisions.
Context #3 | Noun

on someone

The state of being able to trust someone or something.

Synonyms

confidence, dependence, trust.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rely

Used when you depend on someone or something for support or help. It is often used in everyday conversations.

  • I rely on my friends for emotional support.
  • Students rely on the library for their research.
trust

Implies a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. It is often used in personal, professional, and financial contexts.

  • I trust my partner completely.
  • You need to trust the process and be patient.
dependence

Used when describing a state of needing something or someone. It often suggests a stronger or more permanent reliance than 'rely'. It can sometimes have a negative connotation, implying a lack of independence.

  • His dependence on caffeine has become a problem.
  • The country's economy has a dependence on tourism.
confidence

Indicates a strong belief or trust in someone or something. It often relates to self-assurance or trust in abilities.

  • She has great confidence in her public speaking skills.
  • I have confidence that the team will win the game.

Examples of usage

  • Our relationship is built on mutual reliance.
  • The team's success is due to their reliance on each other.
  • He has a strong reliance on his family for emotional support.

Translations

Translations of the word "rely" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น confiar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคญเคฐเฅ‹เคธเคพ เค•เคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช vertrauen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ percaya

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพะบะปะฐะดะฐั‚ะธัั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ polegaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้ ผใ‚‹

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท compter sur

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ confiar en

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท gรผvenmek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์‹ ๋ขฐํ•˜๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงุนุชู…ุฏ ุนู„ู‰

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ spolรฉhat se

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ spoliehaลฅ sa

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ไพ้ 

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ zaupati

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ treysta รก

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะตะฝั–ะผ ะฐั€ั‚ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒแƒ›แƒแƒ™แƒ˜แƒ“แƒ”แƒ‘แƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ etibar etmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ confiar en

Etymology

The word 'rely' originated from the Old French word 'relier', meaning 'to rally, bring together'. Over time, the meaning evolved to signify trust and dependence. The concept of reliance has been essential in human relationships and societal structures, highlighting the importance of trust and mutual support.

See also: reliability, reliable, reliably, reliance, reliant, reliantly, unreliability, unreliable, unreliableness, unreliably.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,656, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.