🇬🇧🇨🇳 unreliable - 不可靠 : English Lesson

Meaning of "unreliable" ("不可靠"), detailed definition, and a short video lesson below.

If someone or something is unreliable, it means you cannot trust it to do what it promised or what it is supposed to do. Sometimes it works or behaves well, but other times it doesn’t, so you never know what will happen.

Watch and listen to this English flashcard to understand the word in more detail, with an easy example sentence.

My unreliable superhero cape only flies dramatically when no one is watching; in public it just slaps me in the face.

Our unreliable doorbell doesn’t ring for guests but explodes with noise whenever the wind sneezes.

The unreliable flashlight works perfectly until I’m in the darkest, creepiest part of the basement.

My baby brother is an unreliable secret keeper; he tells the dog, the wall, and then the entire family.

Weather forecasts are often joked about for being unreliable, which is why people pack sunglasses, an umbrella, and a winter coat—all at the same time.

Anna waits at the stop for the unreliable bus. The unreliable bus breaks down and the unreliable driver shrugs. Her unreliable phone dies, so she stops trusting the unreliable bus times. A kind man lends a small bike; Anna pedals home happy and tired. She waves at the bus and calls it unreliable.

This word is at the B2 level, which means it’s used in more complex conversations and texts. It helps you discuss abstract ideas, express opinions clearly, and engage in discussions on a variety of topics, both personal and professional.

Expanding your English vocabulary is one of the best ways to improve your pronunciation, spelling, and confidence in English. Watch the video above to memorize the word, understand its meaning, and see example sentences in action. Discover related words to grow your vocabulary naturally. Add words to your playlist for stress-free, effective learning—anytime, anywhere! Watch, learn, repeat.