Word for something that's always reliable, but never the best?A word looks similar to “frail” but means...

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Word for something that's always reliable, but never the best?

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Word for something that's always reliable, but never the best?


A word looks similar to “frail” but means something like “whip”word request (name for an MP3 file)looking for a verb meaning “to work to the extent less than you can”What is the word for a personality quality or gesture that someone does over and over?One word for craving for something that happened in my pastWord for giving something color?Is there a word for something not feeling real but it is real?What is a word for someone who always has to be thinking something or messing with something?Is there a word, or description of someone who uses words like always, everytime, neverA word for “a means of getting a job over reliable candidates”













1















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.










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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
    36 mins ago
















1















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.










share|improve this question

























  • 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
    36 mins ago














1












1








1








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.










share|improve this question
















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






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share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited 15 mins ago









J.R.

98.8k8127244




98.8k8127244










asked 1 hour 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
    36 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
    36 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
36 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
36 mins ago










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes


















2














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.







share|improve this answer































    1














    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.






    share|improve this answer


























    • 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.
      14 mins ago



















    1














    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.






    share|improve this answer































      0














      I think it could be "trustworthy", always reliable but doesn't matter on being the best or not.





      share








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      Marco Garcia is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.




















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        4 Answers
        4






        active

        oldest

        votes








        4 Answers
        4






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        2














        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.







        share|improve this answer




























          2














          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.







          share|improve this answer


























            2












            2








            2







            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.







            share|improve this answer













            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.








            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 57 mins ago









            Weather VaneWeather Vane

            4,0041417




            4,0041417

























                1














                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.






                share|improve this answer


























                • 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.
                  14 mins ago
















                1














                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.






                share|improve this answer


























                • 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.
                  14 mins ago














                1












                1








                1







                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.






                share|improve this answer















                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.







                share|improve this answer














                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer








                edited 1 hour ago

























                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.
                  14 mins 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.
                  14 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.
                14 mins ago





                @repomonster - True. Sometimes "Swiss army knife" can be used metaphorically for things.

                – J.R.
                14 mins ago











                1














                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.






                share|improve this answer




























                  1














                  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.






                  share|improve this answer


























                    1












                    1








                    1







                    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.






                    share|improve this answer













                    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.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 1 hour ago









                    Snowy OzSnowy Oz

                    1012




                    1012























                        0














                        I think it could be "trustworthy", always reliable but doesn't matter on being the best or not.





                        share








                        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.

























                          0














                          I think it could be "trustworthy", always reliable but doesn't matter on being the best or not.





                          share








                          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.























                            0












                            0








                            0







                            I think it could be "trustworthy", always reliable but doesn't matter on being the best or not.





                            share








                            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.






                            share








                            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.








                            share


                            share






                            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




                            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.






























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