Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Free from external control or influence: Not governed, supported, or determined by another person, group, or system. It describes a state of self-reliance and autonomy.
   • Capable of functioning alone: In grammar, an independent clause can stand by itself as a complete sentence.
   • Not affiliated with or committed to a particular group: Especially in politics, not aligned with or controlled by a specific party or interest.
   • Having sufficient financial means: Earning enough money to not require support from others.

2. Noun:

   • A person who is not affiliated with a particular group: Often used in politics for a voter or candidate not belonging to a major party.
   • A person who works on a freelance basis: Someone who sells their services to various employers without long-term commitment to any single one.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The country fought to become an independent nation. (It is free from foreign rule.)
  • She is very independent and doesn't like asking for help. (She is self-reliant.)
  • "I arrived early" is an independent clause. (It is a grammatically complete thought.)
  • He has an independent income from his investments. (He has money not earned from a job.)

• Noun:

  • Many voters registered as independents. (They are not members of a political party.)
  • She works as an independent, consulting for several tech companies. (She is a freelancer.)

Advanced Usage

• "Independent of": Not influenced or determined by; separate from.
  • His decision was independent of any financial considerations. (His decision was not based on money.)
• "Fiercely independent": Extremely self-reliant and resistant to control.
  • The fiercely independent artist refused all gallery contracts.
• "Independent variable": (In mathematics and science) A variable whose variation does not depend on that of another.

Variants and Related Words

• Independently (adverb): In an independent manner.
  • She learned the skill independently.
• Independence (noun): The state of being independent.
  • The colony celebrated its independence.
• Independent film/movie: A film produced outside the major studio system.

Synonyms

• Autonomous: Having the freedom to govern itself or control its own affairs.
• Self-sufficient: Able to supply one's own needs without external assistance.
• Sovereign: Possessing supreme or ultimate power (often for a state).
• Unaffiliated: Not officially attached to or connected with an organization.

Antonyms

• Dependent: Relying on someone or something else.
• Subordinate: Lower in rank or position.
• Controlled: Under the authority or influence of another.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• To go independent: To start operating on one's own, separate from a larger organization.
  • After years with the firm, she decided to go independent and start her own agency.
• Independent streak: A strong tendency to be self-reliant and act according to one's own will.
  • Even as a child, he had a strong independent streak.

Adjective

1. not controlled by a party or interest group
2. (of a clause) capable of standing syntactically alone as a complete sentence
   • the main (or independent) clause in a complex sentence has at least a subject and a verb
3. (of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces
   • an autonomous judiciary
   • a sovereign state
4. free from external control and constraint
   • an independent mind
   • a series of independent judgments
   • fiercely independent individualism

Noun

1. a writer or artist who sells services to different employers without a long-term contract with any of them
2. a neutral or uncommitted person (especially in politics)