noun
dependence
dih-PEHN-duhns
noun
1
The state of relying on someone or something else.
"Their growing dependence on imported oil worried economists."
"Over time, she developed a dependence on painkillers."
How to Use Dependence
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelying heavily on something, sometimes in an unhealthy way, such as with drugs.
Common mistake
"Dependence" and "dependency" are often used interchangeably, though "dependency" more often refers to a specific relationship or territory (e.g. a colonial dependency).
Easily confused with
Common pairings
drug dependence
dependence on
a growing dependence
Word Forms
dependences plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “dependence”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Their growing _____ on imported oil worried economists.
Etymology
From Middle French dépendance, built on "depend."