dependent
Americanadjective
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relying on someone or something else for aid, support, etc.
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conditioned or determined by something else; contingent.
Our trip is dependent on the weather.
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subordinate; subject.
a dependent territory.
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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.
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hanging down; pendent.
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Mathematics.
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(of a variable) having values determined by one or more independent variables.
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(of an equation) having solutions that are identical to those of another equation or to those of a set of equations.
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Statistics. (of an event or a value) not statistically independent.
noun
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a person who depends on or needs someone or something for aid, support, favor, etc.
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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.
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Archaic. a subordinate part.
adjective
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depending on a person or thing for aid, support, life, etc
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(postpositive; foll by on or upon) influenced or conditioned (by); contingent (on)
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subordinate; subject
a dependent prince
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obsolete hanging down
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maths
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(of a variable) having a value depending on that assumed by a related independent variable
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(of a linear equation) having every solution as a solution of one or more given linear equations
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noun
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grammar an element in a phrase or clause that is not the governor
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a variant spelling (esp US) of dependant
Commonly Confused
See dependant
Other Word Forms
- dependantly adverb
- dependently adverb
- overdependent adjective
- predependent adjective
- quasi-dependent adjective
- quasi-dependently adverb
- self-dependent adjective
- self-dependently adverb
- semidependent adjective
- semidependently adverb
- undependent adjective
Etymology
Origin of dependent
First recorded in 1375–1425, dependent is from the late Middle English word dependaunt. See depend, -ent
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Whether or not Chuck realizes it or not,” he said, “there is so much dependent on him and the mountain.”
"We don't have children, a house or any dependents or commitments," said Sarah.
From BBC
"We are human and have the right to live. Try to make our future democratic, not dependent on individuals."
From BBC
Embassy staffers and dependents evacuating, airlines suspending service, eyes in Iran warily turning skyward for signs of an attack.
From Los Angeles Times
Businesses with durable cash flows often command stronger valuation multiples than those dependent on episodic demand.
From MarketWatch
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
