Meaning & use
dependent
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Meanings
adjectiveafter a verb
Needing someone or something for support, help or survival.
Grammar: Usually followed by on: dependent on parents.
Patterns
- dependent on someone
- dependent on something
Young birds are dependent on their parents for food.
The town is heavily dependent on tourism.
She does not want to be financially dependent on anyone.
adjectiveafter a verbformal
Determined by or varying with something else.
Grammar: Followed by on: the price is dependent on the season.
Patterns
- be dependent on something
The outcome is dependent on the weather.
Prices are dependent on demand.
Your grade is dependent on your final exam.
nouncountable
A person, such as a child, who relies on another for money and care.
Grammar: The British spelling is dependant.
Patterns
- claim someone as a dependent
He listed his two children as dependents on his tax form.
Employees can add dependents to their health plan.
A dependent may qualify for benefits.
Word forms
| plural | dependents |
|---|---|
| comparative | more dependent |
| superlative | most dependent |
Common combinations
- dependent on
- We are dependent on rain for the harvest.
- financially dependent
- Teenagers are usually financially dependent.
- claim a dependent
- You may claim a dependent on your taxes.
- heavily dependent
- The region is heavily dependent on oil.
- dependent child
- A dependent child lives with the parents.
Synonyms and how they differ
- reliant
- Reliant is similar but stresses trusting something to be available, while dependent suggests need.
- contingent
- Contingent means depending on a condition and is more formal.
- subordinate
- Subordinate describes rank, not need.
- supported
- Supported is neutral and does not suggest being unable to cope alone.
Opposites
Word family
- depend verb
- to rely on or be determined by
- dependence noun
- the state of needing something
- dependency noun
- a reliance or a controlled territory
- dependable adjective
- reliable and trustworthy
Commonly confused: dependent or dependant?
dependent vs dependant
Dependant is the British spelling of the noun, whereas dependent is the adjective in both varieties and the American noun.
Practice
The island economy is largely dependent ___ fishing.
Choose one answer.
Dependent is followed by on. The other prepositions are not used with this adjective.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dependent”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.