dependent
/di'pendənt/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed: "Dependent" describes a state of needing someone or something else for aid, sustenance, or existence.
- Contingent on something else: "Dependent" indicates that one thing is determined or conditioned by another.
- Being under the power, control, or sovereignty of another: "Dependent" can describe a political or hierarchical relationship of subordination.
- (Grammar) Unable to stand alone as a complete sentence: A "dependent" clause requires an independent clause to form a full thought.
Noun:
- A person who relies on another person for support (especially financial support): A "dependent" is someone, such as a child or spouse, who is supported by another person.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The young seedlings are dependent on regular watering. (They require it to survive.)
- Our plans are dependent on the weather. (They are contingent on it.)
- The colony was a dependent territory of the empire. (It was under its sovereignty.)
- In the sentence "Because I was late," the word "Because" introduces a dependent clause. (The clause cannot stand alone.)
Noun:
- He listed his two children as dependents on his tax return. (They are people he supports financially.)
Advanced Usage
- "Dependent on/upon": This is the standard prepositional phrase used with the adjective.
- She is completely dependent upon her assistant for scheduling.
- "Dependent variable": In mathematics and science, this is a variable whose value depends on that of another (the independent variable).
- In the experiment, plant growth was the dependent variable.
Variants and Related Words
- Dependence (n): The state of being dependent.
- The country sought to reduce its dependence on foreign oil.
- Dependency (n): A country or territory controlled by another; can also mean the state of being dependent.
- The island was once a dependency of a larger nation.
- Dependant (n): A chiefly British spelling variant for the noun form meaning "a person who relies on another."
- He has three dependants.
Synonyms
- Reliant: Counting on something for support.
- Subordinate: Lower in rank or position.
- Contingent: Dependent on certain conditions.
Antonyms
- Independent: Not relying on others; free from external control.
- Self-sufficient: Able to supply one's own needs.
Related Phrases
- Financially dependent: Relying on another person for money.
- Many students are financially dependent on their parents.
- Chemically dependent: Addicted to a drug or substance.
- The program helps chemically dependent individuals recover.
Adjective
- addicted to a drug
- being under the power or sovereignty of another or others
- subject peoples
- a dependent prince
- held from above
- a pendant bunch of grapes
- (of a clause) unable to stand alone syntactically as a complete sentence
- a subordinate (or dependent) clause functions as a noun or adjective or adverb within a sentence
- contingent on something else
- relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed
- dependent children
- dependent on moisture
Noun
- a person who relies on another person for support (especially financial support)