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# rely

verb (rely, relies, relied, relying) — used with «on» or «upon»

«rely» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To rely on someone means to trust them to help you or do what they say. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rely/#m1)
2. To rely on something means to need it to work or to live, like plants rely on sunlight. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rely/#m2)
3. If you can rely on something happening, you can be sure it will happen. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rely/#m3)

### In the lessons

In science, living things rely on each other in food chains, and plants rely on sun, water and air. In friendship and feelings lessons, a good friend is someone you can rely on. In maths and reasoning, «relying on a guess» is risky; it is better to check. Phrases: «rely on», «can rely on», «rely on each other», «you can't rely on».

### Examples

- You can always rely on me to help. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rely/#x1)
- Plants rely on sunlight to make food. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rely/#x2)
- We rely on the bus to get to school. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rely/#x3)
- Bees rely on flowers for food. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rely/#x4)
- Don't rely on your memory; write it down. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rely/#x5)
- The team relies on its goalkeeper. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rely/#x6)
- Animals in the food chain rely on each other. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rely/#x7)
- You can't rely on the weather in spring. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rely/#x8)
- The Prince heard her words without anxiety, so entirely did he rely on the help of his black friend. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rely/#x9)

### Note

Always followed by «on» or «upon»: «rely on someone». Forms: «relies» (y → ie), «relied», «relying». Adjective: «reliable» (can be trusted); noun: «reliance». Opposite feeling: «unreliable».

## In Jewish tradition

To trust and lean on someone; when said of God it means trusting Him for rescue.

**Interpretation.** Tradition teaches trust in God (bitachon) as the right kind of reliance, as shown when King Asa was reminded that God had saved him earlier.

### Examples

- Wilt thou rely on him, that he will bring home thy seed, and gather the corn of thy threshing-floor? (Writings JOB.39.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/rely/#x1)
- Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge host, with chariots and horsemen exceeding many? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, He delivered them into thy hand. (Writings 2CH.16.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/rely/#x2)

### Note

Always followed by «on» or «upon»: «rely on someone». Forms: «relies» (y → ie), «relied», «relying». Adjective: «reliable» (can be trusted); noun: «reliance». Opposite feeling: «unreliable».

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «rely» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/R/rely/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«rely» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/rely.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «rely» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/R/rely/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«rely» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/rely.html) on Mova free.