dependent

Or de·pend·ant

[dih-pen-duhnt]

adjective

1. relying on someone or something else for aid, support, etc.

2. conditioned or determined by something else; contingent.

   Our trip is dependent on the weather.

3. subordinate; subject.

   a dependent territory.

4. Grammar.,  not used in isolation; used only in connection with other forms. In I walked out when the bell rang, when the bell rang is a dependent clause.

5. hanging down; pendent.

6. Mathematics.

   1. (of a variable) having values determined by one or more independent variables.

   2. (of an equation) having solutions that are identical to those of another equation or to those of a set of equations.

7. Statistics.,  (of an event or a value) not statistically independent.

noun

1. a person who depends on or needs someone or something for aid, support, favor, etc.

2. a child, spouse, parent, or certain other relative to whom one contributes all or a major amount of necessary financial support.

   She listed two dependents on her income-tax form.

3. Archaic.,  a subordinate part.

dependent

/ dɪˈpɛndənt /

adjective

1. depending on a person or thing for aid, support, life, etc

2. (postpositive; foll by on or upon) influenced or conditioned (by); contingent (on)

3. subordinate; subject

   a dependent prince

4. obsolete,  hanging down

5. maths

   1. (of a variable) having a value depending on that assumed by a related independent variable

   2. (of a linear equation) having every solution as a solution of one or more given linear equations

noun

1. grammar an element in a phrase or clause that is not the governor

2. a variant spelling (esp US) of dependant

Confusables Note

See dependant

Other Word Forms

• dependently adverb
• dependantly adverb
• overdependent adjective
• predependent adjective
• quasi-dependent adjective
• quasi-dependently adverb
• self-dependent adjective
• self-dependently adverb
• semidependent adjective
• semidependently adverb
• undependent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dependent¹

First recorded in 1375–1425, dependent is from the late Middle English word dependaunt. See depend, -ent

Example Sentences

However, while the UK is one of Europe's biggest producers of renewable energy, it remains dependent on costly gas, which represents more than a third of its energy mix.

Read more on Barron's

SEOUL—As China and the U.S. race to dominate artificial intelligence, countries are increasingly wary of becoming overly dependent on the superpowers for a technology that could profoundly affect their economic competitiveness and national security.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“How can we monetize and make those models work so they’re self-sustaining and less dependent on philanthropic support?”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Growth has become so dependent on AI-related investment and wealth that if the boom turns to bust, it could take the broader economy with it.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Princess of Wales has called for an end to the "stigma" surrounding addiction, and urged people to offer "empathy and support" to those dependent on alcohol, drugs or gambling.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• defenseless 
• poor 
• reliant 
• vulnerable