dependent
dih-PEHN-duhnt
Dependent (adj) means relying on someone or something for support, existence, or success. Example: “The company's future is heavily dependent on this one client.”
adj
1
Relying on someone or something for support, existence, or success.
"The company's future is heavily dependent on this one client."
"She has become increasingly dependent on her walking stick."
"Young puppies are completely dependent on their mother for food and warmth."
2
Determined by or contingent on something else.
"The outcome is dependent on how the jury interprets the evidence."
"Whether we go hiking is dependent on the weather tomorrow."
"The size of the bonus is dependent on how well the team performs."
noun
1
(US) A person, such as a child, who relies on another for financial support.
"He claimed his elderly mother as a dependent."
"Each dependent on the form must be listed with a full name."
"With two young dependents at home, she works extra shifts."
How to use dependent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRelying on something else, or (in American English) a person who is supported financially by someone.
UK vs US
British English tends to reserve "dependent" for the adjective and use "dependant" for the noun; American English uses "dependent" for both.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
dependent on
highly dependent
claim a dependent
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Word forms
- Plural
- dependents
- Comparative
- more dependent
- Superlative
- most dependent
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company's future is heavily _____ on this one client.
Etymology
From Middle French dependant, the present participle of dependre ("to depend").
Synonyms
View more →
conditional
subject
subordinate
hinging
based
relying
hooked
pendant
dependant
pendent
reliant
contingent
Antonyms
independent
self-reliant
Related words
Rhymes for dependent
See all rhymes for dependent →Frequently asked questions
What does “dependent” mean?
The word “dependent” means relying on someone or something for support, existence, or success. In plain terms, relying on something else, or (in American English) a person who is supported financially by someone.
How do you pronounce “dependent”?
“Dependent” is pronounced dih-PEHN-duhnt (/dɪˈpɛndənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “dependent” in a sentence?
Here is “dependent” used in a sentence: “The company's future is heavily dependent on this one client.”
What is another word for “dependent”?
Words with a similar meaning to “dependent” include reliant and contingent.
What is the opposite of “dependent”?
The opposite of “dependent” — its antonyms — are independent and self-reliant.
What part of speech is “dependent”?
Depending on how it is used, “dependent” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “dependent” come from?
The word “dependent” comes from Middle French. From Middle French dependant, the present participle of dependre ("to depend").
Is “dependent” a common word?
“Dependent” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "dependent" and "dependant"?
In British English, "dependent" is the adjective meaning reliant on something, while "dependant" is the noun for a person who relies on you, such as a child. In American English, "dependent" is used for both the adjective and the noun.
What is the difference between "dependent" and "independent"?
"Dependent" means relying on someone or something for support or existence, while "independent" means the opposite, being self-sufficient and not relying on others. Adding the prefix "in-" reverses the meaning of the word.
What preposition goes with "dependent"?
"Dependent" is normally followed by "on" (or sometimes "upon"), as in "the plan is dependent on funding." It is not paired with "of," which is a common mistake.
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