Dependent

/dɪˈpɛndənt/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A person who relies on another for financial or emotional support.
As a dependent, he was covered under his parent's health insurance plan.
A clause or phrase that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and depends on a main clause.
In this sentence, 'when she arrived' is a dependent clause that needs an independent clause to make sense.
adjective
Contingent on or determined by something else; relying on another for support.
The project's success is dependent on adequate funding.
In need of support from someone else; not able to exist, sustain, or function on one's own.
Many children are dependent on their parents for financial support.
Subject to the control or influence of another.
Her emotional well-being was dependent on the approval of her peers.

Etymology

From Latin 'dependere', meaning 'to hang from, to be attached to'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

dependent clause:
A group of words with a subject and a verb that cannot stand alone as a sentence.
dependent variable:
A variable in an experiment that is affected by changes in other variables.
dependent on:
To rely on or be influenced by.
dependent relationship:
A relationship where one party relies heavily on the other.

Related Words

Slang Meanings

needy
He's so needy; he's totally dependent on his friends for emotional support.
clingy
She's really clingy and dependent on her boyfriend.