What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
reliable
Example
John is a reliable employee who always shows up on time. [reliable: adjective]
Example
The weather forecast is usually reliable, but it's always good to double-check. [reliable: adjective]
Example
Toyota is known for producing reliable cars that last a long time. [reliable: adjective]
accurate
Example
The scale is accurate to within one gram. [accurate: adjective]
Example
The historian provided an accurate account of the events that took place. [accurate: adjective]
Example
The sniper took an accurate shot and hit the target. [accurate: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Reliable is more commonly used than accurate in everyday language. Reliable is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while accurate is more technical and often used in specific fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between reliable and accurate?
Accurate is more formal than reliable and is often used in technical or academic contexts. Reliable is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
