Trusty and trustworthy?

"trusty" is now mostly used poetically, or to impart an old-fashioned flavour, or light-heartedly in the knowledge that it is old-fashioned-sounding. In normal situations use "trustworthy".

I agree with the reply, but I think the object of the trust makes a difference. A person worthy of your trust is trustworthy; a sword that has protected you before is trusted or trusty. A bank employee you've never before met is, by implication, a trusted employee.

wilpeterI agree with the reply, but I think the object of the trust makes a difference. A person worthy of your trust is trustworthy; a sword that has protected you before is trusted or trusty.

"trusty" can be applied to people too (as in "trusty friend", "trusty companion", etc.).

I should probably have also said in my original reply ...

I think "trustworthy" is used only with people, and means that they can be trusted, while "trusty" (with the earlier caveats) can be used with people or other things ("trusty friend/sword/steed"), and means that the person or thing has proved faithful and reliable over time.

"Trustworthy" is used almost exclusively in statements like: "He's a trustworthy person." (That is, he can be trusted.)

"Trusty" is used almost exclusively in statements like: "I've got my trusty six-shooter with me, so we have nothing to worry about." (That is, the gun is reliable, effective.)

"Trusty" can also be used as a noun, meaning a prisoner who has been elevated to a