What does rely mean?
Rely means to depend on someone or something, or to trust that it will provide the support, information, or result you need. Its typical construction is “rely on”: “We rely on the weather forecast to decide when to leave.” In another sense, rely conveys confidence in the reliability of a person or statement, as in “You can rely on her judgment.” The word is frequently used where responsibility, trust, or uncertainty is being discussed: a plan may rely on cooperation, a conclusion may rely on incomplete evidence, or a speaker may rely on an audience’s goodwill. Rely can suggest an objective dependence, such as structural support, as well as a personal choice to trust. Its related forms include reliable, reliable, reliance, and reliant. Though generally neutral, “rely on” can imply that the speaker is placing significant weight on another person or condition.
verbTo depend on someone or something for support, assistance, or confidence. It can also mean to trust or have faith in a person, statement, or expectation.
- To depend on someone or something for support, help, or a needed result.
- To trust someone or something, or to have confidence that it will be accurate, effective, or available.
"You can rely on me to arrive on time."
"The bridge must be able to rely on solid foundations."
"She was reluctant to rely on an unverified source."
Rely began with the idea of binding something again: its roots connect trust and dependence with the Latin word for “tie” or “bind.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rely come from?
The word comes through Middle English relyen, from Old French relyer, which was derived from Latin religare, meaning “to bind again.” The Latin prefix re- indicated repetition, while ligare meant “to bind or tie.” The original sense developed into the modern ideas of depending on or trusting someone or something. The same Latin root also lies behind words such as reliable, reliance, and religion.
Related word forms
How rely is actually used
In contemporary English, rely is almost always followed by “on” and is commonly used in the pattern “rely on someone/something.” It is neutral in register and especially common in British and American English.