dependent

American  

[dih-pen-duhnt] / dɪˈpɛn dənt /

Or dependant

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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noun

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

2. a variant spelling (esp US) of dependant

Commonly Confused

See dependant

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of dependent

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

Explanation

Being dependent means relying on something. Many people are dependent on coffee in the morning, while a dependent is someone who relies on you for financial support. In grammar-land, a dependent clause can’t stand alone because it’s a fragment. Dependent comes from pendant, the French word for "hanging.” If you break your leg, you will be dependent, or hanging, on crutches to get around. Kids are dependents of their parents, since they rely on them for food and shelter. A drug addict is dependent on drugs. And if a decision is dependent on your mood, that means it depends on or will be decided by how you feel.

Example Sentences

But some French regions are especially dependent on the US market.

From Barron's • Jun. 15, 2026

The state’s gas supply is also particularly vulnerable because it has lost much of its drilling and refining capacity in recent years, making it more dependent on fuel from other states and countries.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 12, 2026

Her enthusiasm for SpaceX’s future, much of it dependent on untested technology, is broad.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 11, 2026

He has long championed the idea that Europe must pull together in areas like defence, to make itself less dependent on partners who may prove unreliable.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Also like the Colts, the bread and butter of many Packingtown policemen was dependent on a good word from Frank Ragen or one of his cronies.

From "A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919" by Claire Hartfield

Related Words

• defenseless
• poor
• reliant
• vulnerable