dependent meaning and definition

DEPENDENT noun

Definition of dependent (noun)

1. a person who relies on another person for support (especially financial support)
   • synonyms: dependant

DEPENDENT adjective

Definition of dependent (adjective)

1. relying on or requiring a person or thing for support, supply, or what is needed
   • "dependent children"; "dependent on moisture"
   • antonym: independent
2. contingent on something else
   • synonyms: dependant, qualified
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"
   • synonyms: subordinate
   • antonym: independent
4. held from above
   • "a pendant bunch of grapes"
   • synonyms: pendant, pendent
5. being under the power or sovereignty of another or others
   • "subject peoples"; "a dependent prince"
   • synonyms: subject
6. addicted to a drug
   • synonyms: dependant, drug-addicted, hooked, strung-out