codependent

American  

[koh-di-pen-duhnt] / ˌkoʊ dɪˈpɛn dənt /

adjective

1. of or relating to a relationship in which one person is physically or psychologically addicted, as to alcohol or gambling, and the other person is psychologically dependent on the first in an unhealthy way.

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noun

1. one who is codependent or in a codependent relationship.

Other Word Forms

• codependence
  noun
• codependency
  noun

Etymology

Origin of codependent

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Well, this is going to sound like I’m so codependent on this person, but the person who planted the seed of sobriety in my head was Bob the Drag Queen.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2026

When people have financial difficulties, they can become codependent — but that’s not your codependency, it’s his, and it takes two people to form an unhealthy bond.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 21, 2026

Today, in the real 2025, knowing that people are developing serious and codependent attachments to chatbots, the story Jonze presents in Her is much, much more loaded and pervasive.

From Slate • Apr. 11, 2025

"Objectively, the film is also a critique of a codependent relationship between a very perverse narcissist and a very vulnerable, echo personality," Szaniawski said of the dynamic between Jack and Wendy.

From Salon • Oct. 7, 2024

Maybe I'm codependent and I've replaced my mother with Ron.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King