Dependent meaning

What does “dependent” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“dependent” is a noun and adjective with 7 meanings. Its most common meaning is: a person who relies on another person for support (especially financial support).

dependent

noun

  1. a person who relies on another person for support (especially financial support)

    Synonymsdependant

adjective

  1. relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed

    “dependent children”

    “dependent on moisture”

    Oppositesindependent
  2. contingent on something else

  3. (of a clause) unable to stand alone syntactically as a complete sentence

    “a subordinate (or dependent) clause functions as a noun or adjective or adverb within a sentence”

    Synonymssubordinate
    Oppositesindependent
  4. held from above and hanging down

    “a pendant bunch of grapes”

  5. being under the power or sovereignty of another or others

    “subject peoples”

    “a dependent prince”

    Synonymssubject
  6. addicted to a drug

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University