rely

[ri-lahy]

verb (used without object)

relied, relying 

1. to depend confidently; put trust in (usually followed by on orupon ).

   You can rely on her work.

   Synonyms: bank, count, trust

rely

/ rɪˈlaɪ /

verb

1. to be dependent (on)

   he relies on his charm

2. to have trust or confidence (in)

   you can rely on us

Other Word Forms

• misrely verb (used without object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of rely¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English relien, from Middle French relier, from Latin religāre “to bind fast, hold firmly”; re-, ligament

Word History and Origins

Origin of rely¹

C14: from Old French relier to fasten together, repair, from Latin religāre to tie back, from _re- + ligāre to tie

Example Sentences

Currently, agencies such as Caltrans often rely on routine mowing to fight the flammable grasses along transportation corridors and in populated areas.

From Los Angeles Times

"Then carried on working here and now I've also now started part-time work as well so I don't rely on it as much."

From BBC

Plus, there is a limit to how much steel-making can rely on electric arc furnaces since they currently largely rely on a supply of scrap steel.

From BBC

But the UK's Civil Aviation Authority has played down the significance of GPS jamming, says aircrafts' navigation systems do not rely solely on GPS and so interference should not affect their direct navigation.

From BBC

And third, the Supreme Court has frowned on recent presidents who relied on old laws to justify bold, new, costly regulations.

From Los Angeles Times