independent
/,indi'pendənt/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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
- not controlled by a party or interest group
- (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
- (of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces
- an autonomous judiciary
- a sovereign state
- free from external control and constraint
- an independent mind
- a series of independent judgments
- fiercely independent individualism
Noun
- a writer or artist who sells services to different employers without a long-term contract with any of them
- a neutral or uncommitted person (especially in politics)