depend
11 synonyms for depend, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To rely on someone or something for support, help, or a particular outcome.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use depend
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
depend on
depends on the situation
heavily dependent
Etymology
From Old French dependre and Latin dependere, literally "to hang from" (de- "down from" + pendere "to hang").
Full origin of depend →Frequently asked questions
What does “depend” mean?
The word “depend” means to rely on someone or something for support, help, or a particular outcome. In plain terms, to rely on something, or for an outcome to be uncertain until something else is known.
How do you pronounce “depend”?
“Depend” is pronounced dih-PEHND (/dɪˈpɛnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “depend” in a sentence?
Here is “depend” used in a sentence: “The whole plan depends on good weather.”
What part of speech is “depend”?
“Depend” is a verb.
Where does the word “depend” come from?
The word “depend” comes from Latin. From Old French dependre and Latin dependere, literally "to hang from" (de- "down from" + pendere "to hang").
Is “depend” a common word?
“Depend” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “depend” have?
“Depend” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to rely on someone or something for support, help, or a particular outcome.
What is the difference between "depend on" and "depend upon"?
There is no difference in meaning; both mean to rely on someone or something. "Depend upon" is slightly more formal and old-fashioned, while "depend on" is the more common, everyday choice. Depend almost always takes a preposition and is rarely used alone.
What is the difference between depend and rely?
Both mean to count on someone or something for support. Depend can suggest a stronger need, even helplessness, as a child depends on parents, while rely often stresses trust or confidence that something will be there when needed. In many sentences they are interchangeable.
Which preposition follows depend?
Depend is normally followed by "on" or "upon," as in "depend on the weather." It is not used with "of." The main exception is the fixed reply "it depends," where the preposition is left off.
