1.
reliance; dependence; someone or something to count on
A person, thing, or quality that one depends on for help or support. Often used to describe someone who is dependable.
彼だけが頼りだ。
He's the only one I can count on.
記憶を頼りに道を探した。
I searched for the way relying on my memory.
地図もなく、星の光だけを頼りに歩き続けた。
With no map, I kept walking relying only on the starlight.
The noun form of 頼る (to rely on).
COMMON PATTERNS:
- Xを頼りにする — to rely on X, to use X as a guide
- Xが頼りだ — X is what one counts on
- 頼りになる — to be dependable/reliable
- 頼りにならない — to be unreliable
Not to be confused with 便り, which means "news" or "letter" (a communication from someone).