Showing results for "dependant"

• a variation of dependent.

dependant

British  

/ dɪˈpɛndənt /

noun

1. a person who depends on another person, organization, etc, for support, aid, or sustenance, esp financial support

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Commonly Confused

See dependent

Explanation

A dependant is someone who relies on someone else, possibly for financial support. You'll most often find this spelling in British English, where it's favored (or favoured!) in using the word as a noun. Don't be confused by the spelling. In the UK, the -ant ending often shows up for the noun but not the adjective. In the US, the -ent ending is more popular for both the noun and adjective. Either way, this word has to do with reliance. Kids are dependants (or dependents) of their parents, which means they depend on them for food and shelter.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dependant

The duty is increasing across most fare bands, with different amounts charged dependant on the distance of the flight.

From BBC ● Mar. 31, 2026

"You are no longer dependant on a financial system with its middlemen and its costs."

From BBC ● Dec. 10, 2025

Volkswagen and Audi on Friday said their full-year financial guidance was dependant on an adequate supply of semiconductors.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 3, 2025

Under the FCA's plans, providers will have until December to consider and respond to complaints - but those cases will be hugely dependant on the judgement of the Supreme Court judges.

From BBC ● Mar. 29, 2025

Hunt was now virtually a dependant upon Byron, whose least amiable qualities were called forth by the relation of patron to an unsympathetic dependant, burdened with a large and troublesome family.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 8 "Hudson River" to "Hurstmonceaux" by Various