trusty

IPA/ˈtrʌsti/
KK[trˈʌsti]IPA/ˈtrʌsti/

trusty — adjective

  • trustypositive
  • trustiercomparative
  • trustiestsuperlative

1. used to describe an object you have owned for many years and can always depend o

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

used to describe an object you have owned for many years and can always depend on because it has never failed you

Example

Henry still uses his trusty old typewriter for writing first drafts.

attributive position: trusty + old + noun

On every camping trip, Clara brings her trusty flashlight and a map of the area.

collocation: trusty + familiar object

Common collocations
  • trusty + old (trusty old car, trusty old camera)
  • trusty + vehicle (trusty bicycle, trusty truck)
  • trusty + tool (trusty hammer, trusty pen, trusty knife)
  • trusty + book / notebook / reference
Synonyms
  • reliable

    more general meaning; works for people and objects without the 'ownership over time' connotation

  • dependable

    similar to reliable, emphasises consistency; neutral in register

  • faithful

    more personal and emotional; often used for companions or tools that have never failed the speaker

Antonyms
  • unreliable

    opposite in dependability — cannot be counted on to work when needed

  • untested

    opposite in the 'long experience' component — a new object that has not yet proved itself

Grammar Patterns

trusty + noun

Usage Note

Almost always placed before a noun (attributive position); 'a trusty X' is far more common than 'The X is trusty'. Often carries an affectionate tone toward an older object the speaker has depended on for years.

Common Mistakes

My trusty friend helped me move house.
My reliable friend helped me move house.
'Trusty' sounds old-fashioned and suits objects better than people; 'reliable' or 'dependable' is more natural for a person.
This trusty watch was given to me last week.
I have used this watch for years and it has never let me down.
'Trusty' requires long-term personal experience with the object, not recent acquisition.

trusty — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

'Trusty', 'reliable', 'dependable', and 'trustworthy' all describe something or someone you can count on, but they differ in scope and connotation. 'Trusty' is the most limited of the four — it is almost always used before a noun, has a slightly old-fashioned or affectionate tone, and strongly implies long-term personal experience with an object ('his trusty old bicycle'). 'Reliable' is the broadest and most neutral term, working for both people and things in any register ('a reliable car', 'a reliable colleague'). 'Dependable' is very close to 'reliable' but leans slightly more toward personal character ('a dependable friend who never cancels'). 'Trustworthy' focuses specifically on honesty and moral integrity ('a trustworthy accountant who handles company funds'). You can say a person is trustworthy but rarely trusty; you can say a tool is trusty but it sounds odd to call it trustworthy. For everyday use, 'reliable' or 'dependable' are the safest choices.

trusty ↗reliable ↗dependable ↗trustworthy ↗

Etymology

Old NorseMiddle EnglishEnglish

Trusty comes from the Middle English word 'tristi', formed from 'trust' (confidence in someone or something) plus the adjective suffix '-y'. The noun sense — a prisoner considered trustworthy enough to receive special privileges — developed in 19th-century American English within the prison system.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined above Noun