Definition

1. 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.

2. 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

1. addicted to a drug
2. being under the power or sovereignty of another or others
   • subject peoples
   • a dependent prince
3. held from above
   • a pendant bunch of grapes
4. (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
5. contingent on something else
6. relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed
   • dependent children
   • dependent on moisture

Noun

1. a person who relies on another person for support (especially financial support)