Word for something that's always reliable, but never the best?
What do you call something that's always reliable, but that's never the best?
Is there a word for it? I am trying to think of something, but there's nothing I can really think of that exactly means that.
word-request
edited 20 mins ago
J.R.♦
98.8k8127244
asked 2 hours ago
repomonsterrepomonster
62912
add a comment |
What do you call something that's always reliable, but that's never the best?
Is there a word for it? I am trying to think of something, but there's nothing I can really think of that exactly means that.
word-request
edited 20 mins ago
J.R.♦
98.8k8127244
asked 2 hours ago
repomonsterrepomonster
62912
It would help if you gave an example sentence or two. We don't know if you want a noun, an adjective, etc. or what context you want the word in.
– CJ Dennis
40 mins ago
add a comment |
What do you call something that's always reliable, but that's never the best?
Is there a word for it? I am trying to think of something, but there's nothing I can really think of that exactly means that.
word-request
edited 20 mins ago
J.R.♦
98.8k8127244
asked 2 hours ago
repomonsterrepomonster
62912
What do you call something that's always reliable, but that's never the best?
Is there a word for it? I am trying to think of something, but there's nothing I can really think of that exactly means that.
word-request
word-request
edited 20 mins ago
J.R.♦
98.8k8127244
asked 2 hours ago
repomonsterrepomonster
62912
edited 20 mins ago
J.R.♦
98.8k8127244
asked 2 hours ago
repomonsterrepomonster
62912
edited 20 mins ago
J.R.♦
98.8k8127244
edited 20 mins ago
J.R.♦
98.8k8127244
edited 20 mins ago
J.R.♦
98.8k8127244
98.8k8127244
asked 2 hours ago
repomonsterrepomonster
62912
asked 2 hours ago
repomonsterrepomonster
62912
asked 2 hours ago
repomonsterrepomonster
62912
62912
It would help if you gave an example sentence or two. We don't know if you want a noun, an adjective, etc. or what context you want the word in.
– CJ Dennis
40 mins ago
add a comment |
It would help if you gave an example sentence or two. We don't know if you want a noun, an adjective, etc. or what context you want the word in.
– CJ Dennis
40 mins ago
It would help if you gave an example sentence or two. We don't know if you want a noun, an adjective, etc. or what context you want the word in.
– CJ Dennis
40 mins ago
It would help if you gave an example sentence or two. We don't know if you want a noun, an adjective, etc. or what context you want the word in.
– CJ Dennis
40 mins ago
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
Something can be a standby when it is ready for use. It is reliable, but if it were the best, it would actually be in use. Quite often it was in use but replaced, but is still good for the job, for example a kettle that has seen better days but still works well.
The Oxford Dictionary has
1.1 count noun A person or thing ready to be deployed immediately, especially if needed as backup in an emergency.
with examples
The tugboat is truly multi purpose, as it can lead oil tankers into port, repair petroleum pipes in the sea and act as a standby rescue boat.
Soup is a great standby, and we Scots are the best soup-makers of all.
The Cambridge Dictionary has
standby noun something that is always ready for use, especially if a
regular one fails.
with examples
Board games are a good standby to keep the children amused if the weather is bad.
There are standby generators but these usually only have to work for a few hours a year during power cuts.
answered 1 hour ago
Weather VaneWeather Vane
4,0041417
add a comment |
A "Jack of all trades" can be relied on to do many different things. Most Americans will automatically fill in "but master of none", meaning that he does not do an excellent job in any of those things.
In basketball and other sports, a "role player" can be relied on to do his job consistently well, but not at the level of a "star" or "superstar".
"Solid", "steady", and "reliable" are adjectives. If used without other adjectives, the implication is that the person or thing's reliability is its most important feature. Most things that are perfect for a particular task have other adjectives that are more likely to be used if they are applicable.
answered 1 hour ago
JasperJasper
17.9k43568
However, that only works if you are referring to a person.
– repomonster
1 hour ago
@repomonster - True. Sometimes "Swiss army knife" can be used metaphorically for things.
– J.R.♦
18 mins ago
add a comment |
There are probably lots of ways to express this, but it would depend on the context.
"Fallback" (n), or "Backup" are likely easy one word substitutes.
English tends to be less expressive via single nouns/verbs/adjectives, so if you went for a phrase, we may hear "If all else fails, there's always... x".
In fact, words like "dependable" and "reliable" already (within certain contexts) euphemistically express the meaning that it wasn't the best/first choice.
As in "What's he like as a candidate?", "Oh - he's dependable". But that's sort of more in a negative context.
answered 1 hour ago
Snowy OzSnowy Oz
1012
add a comment |
I think it could be "trustworthy", always reliable but doesn't matter on being the best or not.
answered 1 hour ago
Marco GarciaMarco Garcia
11
New contributor
Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Something can be a standby when it is ready for use. It is reliable, but if it were the best, it would actually be in use. Quite often it was in use but replaced, but is still good for the job, for example a kettle that has seen better days but still works well.
The Oxford Dictionary has
1.1 count noun A person or thing ready to be deployed immediately, especially if needed as backup in an emergency.
with examples
The tugboat is truly multi purpose, as it can lead oil tankers into port, repair petroleum pipes in the sea and act as a standby rescue boat.
Soup is a great standby, and we Scots are the best soup-makers of all.
The Cambridge Dictionary has
standby noun something that is always ready for use, especially if a
regular one fails.
with examples
Board games are a good standby to keep the children amused if the weather is bad.
There are standby generators but these usually only have to work for a few hours a year during power cuts.
answered 1 hour ago
Weather VaneWeather Vane
4,0041417
add a comment |
Something can be a standby when it is ready for use. It is reliable, but if it were the best, it would actually be in use. Quite often it was in use but replaced, but is still good for the job, for example a kettle that has seen better days but still works well.
The Oxford Dictionary has
1.1 count noun A person or thing ready to be deployed immediately, especially if needed as backup in an emergency.
with examples
The tugboat is truly multi purpose, as it can lead oil tankers into port, repair petroleum pipes in the sea and act as a standby rescue boat.
Soup is a great standby, and we Scots are the best soup-makers of all.
The Cambridge Dictionary has
standby noun something that is always ready for use, especially if a
regular one fails.
with examples
Board games are a good standby to keep the children amused if the weather is bad.
There are standby generators but these usually only have to work for a few hours a year during power cuts.
answered 1 hour ago
Weather VaneWeather Vane
4,0041417
add a comment |
Something can be a standby when it is ready for use. It is reliable, but if it were the best, it would actually be in use. Quite often it was in use but replaced, but is still good for the job, for example a kettle that has seen better days but still works well.
The Oxford Dictionary has
1.1 count noun A person or thing ready to be deployed immediately, especially if needed as backup in an emergency.
with examples
The tugboat is truly multi purpose, as it can lead oil tankers into port, repair petroleum pipes in the sea and act as a standby rescue boat.
Soup is a great standby, and we Scots are the best soup-makers of all.
The Cambridge Dictionary has
standby noun something that is always ready for use, especially if a
regular one fails.
with examples
Board games are a good standby to keep the children amused if the weather is bad.
There are standby generators but these usually only have to work for a few hours a year during power cuts.
answered 1 hour ago
Weather VaneWeather Vane
4,0041417
Something can be a standby when it is ready for use. It is reliable, but if it were the best, it would actually be in use. Quite often it was in use but replaced, but is still good for the job, for example a kettle that has seen better days but still works well.
The Oxford Dictionary has
1.1 count noun A person or thing ready to be deployed immediately, especially if needed as backup in an emergency.
with examples
The tugboat is truly multi purpose, as it can lead oil tankers into port, repair petroleum pipes in the sea and act as a standby rescue boat.
Soup is a great standby, and we Scots are the best soup-makers of all.
The Cambridge Dictionary has
standby noun something that is always ready for use, especially if a
regular one fails.
with examples
Board games are a good standby to keep the children amused if the weather is bad.
There are standby generators but these usually only have to work for a few hours a year during power cuts.
answered 1 hour ago
Weather VaneWeather Vane
4,0041417
answered 1 hour ago
Weather VaneWeather Vane
4,0041417
answered 1 hour ago
Weather VaneWeather Vane
4,0041417
answered 1 hour ago
Weather VaneWeather Vane
4,0041417
4,0041417
add a comment |
add a comment |
A "Jack of all trades" can be relied on to do many different things. Most Americans will automatically fill in "but master of none", meaning that he does not do an excellent job in any of those things.
In basketball and other sports, a "role player" can be relied on to do his job consistently well, but not at the level of a "star" or "superstar".
"Solid", "steady", and "reliable" are adjectives. If used without other adjectives, the implication is that the person or thing's reliability is its most important feature. Most things that are perfect for a particular task have other adjectives that are more likely to be used if they are applicable.
answered 1 hour ago
JasperJasper
17.9k43568
However, that only works if you are referring to a person.
– repomonster
1 hour ago
@repomonster - True. Sometimes "Swiss army knife" can be used metaphorically for things.
– J.R.♦
18 mins ago
add a comment |
A "Jack of all trades" can be relied on to do many different things. Most Americans will automatically fill in "but master of none", meaning that he does not do an excellent job in any of those things.
In basketball and other sports, a "role player" can be relied on to do his job consistently well, but not at the level of a "star" or "superstar".
"Solid", "steady", and "reliable" are adjectives. If used without other adjectives, the implication is that the person or thing's reliability is its most important feature. Most things that are perfect for a particular task have other adjectives that are more likely to be used if they are applicable.
answered 1 hour ago
JasperJasper
17.9k43568
However, that only works if you are referring to a person.
– repomonster
1 hour ago
@repomonster - True. Sometimes "Swiss army knife" can be used metaphorically for things.
– J.R.♦
18 mins ago
add a comment |
A "Jack of all trades" can be relied on to do many different things. Most Americans will automatically fill in "but master of none", meaning that he does not do an excellent job in any of those things.
In basketball and other sports, a "role player" can be relied on to do his job consistently well, but not at the level of a "star" or "superstar".
"Solid", "steady", and "reliable" are adjectives. If used without other adjectives, the implication is that the person or thing's reliability is its most important feature. Most things that are perfect for a particular task have other adjectives that are more likely to be used if they are applicable.
answered 1 hour ago
JasperJasper
17.9k43568
A "Jack of all trades" can be relied on to do many different things. Most Americans will automatically fill in "but master of none", meaning that he does not do an excellent job in any of those things.
In basketball and other sports, a "role player" can be relied on to do his job consistently well, but not at the level of a "star" or "superstar".
"Solid", "steady", and "reliable" are adjectives. If used without other adjectives, the implication is that the person or thing's reliability is its most important feature. Most things that are perfect for a particular task have other adjectives that are more likely to be used if they are applicable.
answered 1 hour ago
JasperJasper
17.9k43568
edited 1 hour ago
answered 1 hour ago
JasperJasper
17.9k43568
answered 1 hour ago
JasperJasper
17.9k43568
answered 1 hour ago
JasperJasper
17.9k43568
17.9k43568
However, that only works if you are referring to a person.
– repomonster
1 hour ago
@repomonster - True. Sometimes "Swiss army knife" can be used metaphorically for things.
– J.R.♦
18 mins ago
add a comment |
However, that only works if you are referring to a person.
– repomonster
1 hour ago
@repomonster - True. Sometimes "Swiss army knife" can be used metaphorically for things.
– J.R.♦
18 mins ago
However, that only works if you are referring to a person.
– repomonster
1 hour ago
However, that only works if you are referring to a person.
– repomonster
1 hour ago
@repomonster - True. Sometimes "Swiss army knife" can be used metaphorically for things.
– J.R.♦
18 mins ago
@repomonster - True. Sometimes "Swiss army knife" can be used metaphorically for things.
– J.R.♦
18 mins ago
add a comment |
There are probably lots of ways to express this, but it would depend on the context.
"Fallback" (n), or "Backup" are likely easy one word substitutes.
English tends to be less expressive via single nouns/verbs/adjectives, so if you went for a phrase, we may hear "If all else fails, there's always... x".
In fact, words like "dependable" and "reliable" already (within certain contexts) euphemistically express the meaning that it wasn't the best/first choice.
As in "What's he like as a candidate?", "Oh - he's dependable". But that's sort of more in a negative context.
answered 1 hour ago
Snowy OzSnowy Oz
1012
add a comment |
There are probably lots of ways to express this, but it would depend on the context.
"Fallback" (n), or "Backup" are likely easy one word substitutes.
English tends to be less expressive via single nouns/verbs/adjectives, so if you went for a phrase, we may hear "If all else fails, there's always... x".
In fact, words like "dependable" and "reliable" already (within certain contexts) euphemistically express the meaning that it wasn't the best/first choice.
As in "What's he like as a candidate?", "Oh - he's dependable". But that's sort of more in a negative context.
answered 1 hour ago
Snowy OzSnowy Oz
1012
add a comment |
There are probably lots of ways to express this, but it would depend on the context.
"Fallback" (n), or "Backup" are likely easy one word substitutes.
English tends to be less expressive via single nouns/verbs/adjectives, so if you went for a phrase, we may hear "If all else fails, there's always... x".
In fact, words like "dependable" and "reliable" already (within certain contexts) euphemistically express the meaning that it wasn't the best/first choice.
As in "What's he like as a candidate?", "Oh - he's dependable". But that's sort of more in a negative context.
answered 1 hour ago
Snowy OzSnowy Oz
1012
There are probably lots of ways to express this, but it would depend on the context.
"Fallback" (n), or "Backup" are likely easy one word substitutes.
English tends to be less expressive via single nouns/verbs/adjectives, so if you went for a phrase, we may hear "If all else fails, there's always... x".
In fact, words like "dependable" and "reliable" already (within certain contexts) euphemistically express the meaning that it wasn't the best/first choice.
As in "What's he like as a candidate?", "Oh - he's dependable". But that's sort of more in a negative context.
answered 1 hour ago
Snowy OzSnowy Oz
1012
answered 1 hour ago
Snowy OzSnowy Oz
1012
answered 1 hour ago
Snowy OzSnowy Oz
1012
answered 1 hour ago
Snowy OzSnowy Oz
1012
1012
add a comment |
add a comment |
I think it could be "trustworthy", always reliable but doesn't matter on being the best or not.
answered 1 hour ago
Marco GarciaMarco Garcia
11
New contributor
Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
I think it could be "trustworthy", always reliable but doesn't matter on being the best or not.
answered 1 hour ago
Marco GarciaMarco Garcia
11
New contributor
Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
I think it could be "trustworthy", always reliable but doesn't matter on being the best or not.
answered 1 hour ago
Marco GarciaMarco Garcia
11
New contributor
Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I think it could be "trustworthy", always reliable but doesn't matter on being the best or not.
answered 1 hour ago
Marco GarciaMarco Garcia
11
New contributor
Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 1 hour ago
Marco GarciaMarco Garcia
11
New contributor
Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 1 hour ago
Marco GarciaMarco Garcia
11
answered 1 hour ago
Marco GarciaMarco Garcia
11
11
New contributor
Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
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It would help if you gave an example sentence or two. We don't know if you want a noun, an adjective, etc. or what context you want the word in.
– CJ Dennis
40 mins ago