independent meaning and definition

INDEPENDENT noun

Definition of independent (noun)

1. a neutral or uncommitted person (especially in politics)
   • synonyms: fencesitter, mugwump
2. a writer or artist who sells services to different employers without a long-term contract with any of them
   • synonyms: free lance, freelance, free-lance, freelancer, self-employed person

INDEPENDENT adjective

Definition of independent (adjective)

1. free from external control and constraint
   • "an independent mind"; "a series of independent judgments"; "fiercely independent individualism"
   • antonym: dependent
2. (of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces
   • "an autonomous judiciary"; "a sovereign state"
   • synonyms: autonomous, self-governing, sovereign
3. (of a clause) capable of standing syntactically alone as a complete sentence
   • "the main (or independent) clause in a complex sentence has at least a subject and a verb"
   • synonyms: main
   • antonym: dependent
4. not controlled by a party or interest group