dependent Meaning & Definition
What Does Dependent Mean?
As an adjective, dependent means Relying upon; depending upon. It is also used to mean Having a probability that is affected by the outcome of a separate event. As a noun, it means A person who relies on another for support or sustenance, particularly financial support. As a noun, it means One who relies on another for support.
Quick Facts About Dependent
| Part of speech | adjective, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //dɪˈpɛndənt// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Synonyms | subordinate, subject and hooked |
| Antonyms | independent |
| Plural | dependents |
| Comparative / superlative | more dependent, most dependent |
Dependent Definition (Adjective)
- Relying upon; depending upon.
At that point I was dependent on financial aid for my tuition.
- Having a probability that is affected by the outcome of a separate event.
- Used after a particle (with one or two exceptions), such as those which express questions, subordinate clauses, and negative sentences.
- Of part of the body: positioned lower than the heart, like the legs while standing up, or the back while supine.
- Hanging down.
a dependent bough or leaf
Dependent as a Noun
- A person who relies on another for support or sustenance, particularly financial support.
With two children and an ailing mother, she had three dependents in all.
- An element in phrase or clause structure that is not the head. Includes complements, modifiers and determiners.
- The aorist subjunctive or subjunctive perfective: a form of a verb not used independently but preceded by a particle to form the negative or a tense form. Found in Greek and in the Gaelic languages.
- dependent (origination), in Buddhism, the idea that the existence of everything is conditional and dependent on a cause, and that nothing happens fortuitously or by chance.
Noun
- One who relies on another for support
With two children and an ailing mother, she had three dependents in all.
- (grammar) An element in phrase or clause structure that is not the head. Includes complements, modifiers and determiners.
- (grammar) The aorist subjunctive or subjunctive perfective: a form of a verb not used independently but preceded by a particle to form the negative or a tense form. Found in Greek and in the Gaelic languages.
Adjective
- (of Scottish Gaelic, Manx and Irish verb forms) Used in questions, negative sentences and after certain particles and prepositions.
- Affecting the lower part of the body, such as the legs while standing up, or the back while supine.
Synonyms of Dependent
Antonyms of Dependent
Dependent in a Sentence
At that point I was dependent on financial aid for my tuition.
a dependent bough or leaf
With two children and an ailing mother, she had three dependents in all.
Word Forms & Grammar
dependent (comparative more dependent, superlative most dependent)
dependent (plural dependents)
Words That Rhyme With Dependent
Origin of Dependent
From Middle English dependaunt, dependent, from Middle French dependant (present participle of dependre (“to depend”)) and Latin dēpendēns (present participle of dēpendeō (“to depend”)).[1] By surface analysis, depend + -ent.
Dependent Pronunciation
The standard pronunciation of dependent is //dɪˈpɛndənt//, spoken in 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Dependent
Is dependent an adjective or a noun?
Dependent is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for dependent?
Words with a similar meaning to dependent include subordinate, subject and hooked. See the full list of dependent synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of dependent?
The opposite of dependent is independent.
What is the plural of dependent?
The plural of dependent is dependents.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of dependent?
The comparative form is more dependent and the superlative form is most dependent.