dependent
dependent Lexical Profile
dependent Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relying on someone or something else for financial, material, or emotional support.
"Many local businesses are heavily dependent on seasonal tourism to survive."
Determined, influenced, or conditioned by another factor or event.
"The success of the agricultural harvest is largely dependent on adequate rainfall in the spring."
Unable to do without a particular substance or activity; addicted.
"After taking the prescribed medication for several months, the patient became physically dependent on it."
In grammar, relating to a subordinate clause or word that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
"A dependent clause must be connected to an independent clause to form a grammatically complete thought."
• noun
American A person, especially a child or spouse, who relies on another individual as a primary source of income and financial support.
"When filing her annual tax return, she claimed her two young children as dependents."
Word Nuance & Usage
In British English, 'dependent' is the standard spelling for the adjective, while 'dependant' is preferred for the noun; in American English, 'dependent' is standard for both parts of speech.
• Rhymes for dependent
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French 'dependant', the present participle of 'dependre', ultimately from Latin 'dependere', meaning 'to hang down from' (from 'de-' meaning 'down' and 'pendere' meaning 'to hang').