What does trustworthiness mean?
Trustworthiness means the quality of being worthy of trust. It combines the idea of being dependable with the expectation that a person or institution will act honestly, keep commitments, and behave with integrity. The word is especially common in discussions of leadership, business, public institutions, professional conduct, and personal character, where it summarizes a pattern of reliable behavior over time. Trustworthiness is broader than simple honesty: it suggests that someone can be counted on not only to tell the truth but also to fulfill responsibilities and act responsibly. While credibility often concerns whether a particular statement or source seems believable, trustworthiness usually describes the broader character of the person or organization behind it. In everyday use, the term carries a strongly approving tone, and questioning someone's trustworthiness can suggest serious doubts about their honesty or motives. The noun is most often uncountable, though plural forms can occur in formal or specialized contexts.
nounThe quality of being worthy of trust, especially because of honesty, reliability, integrity, or dependable conduct.
- The quality of being trustworthy; reliability, honesty, and integrity that make someone or something worthy of confidence.
"Years of consistent service earned the captain a reputation for exceptional trustworthiness."
"The witness's credibility was questioned, but the team's trustworthiness remained beyond dispute."
"The bank publishes a detailed report to demonstrate its trustworthiness to prospective customers."
Rare and generally reserved for formal or specialized contexts; the noun is normally used in the singular or as an uncountable mass noun.
"The study compared the trustworthinesss of several public institutions."
The word asks a pointed question in every context: is this person or organization worthy of trust?
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does trustworthiness come from?
Trustworthiness is formed from trustworthy plus the noun-forming suffix -ness. Trustworthy itself combines trust with the adjective suffix -worthy, literally indicating that something is fit or deserving of trust. Trust comes from Old English and ultimately from a Germanic word associated with loyalty, confidence, and reliance, while the broader English family includes trustee and trusteeship.
How trustworthiness is actually used
Trustworthiness is a formal and generally positive term. It most often describes a person's moral character, but it can also refer to the reliability of systems, institutions, sources, or processes.
Easily confused with trustworthiness
Trustworthiness is usually a character or ethical quality, whereas credibility is the quality of being believable or worthy of acceptance, especially as a claim, source, or institution.