adjective / noun

dependent

di-PEN-dunt/dɪˈpendənt/

Requiring another thing for support or determination.

The young bird is dependent on its parent for food.

A helpless, sparsely feathered nestling relies on its adult parent for food, receiving a worm directly into its open beak.

Etymology

deLatinfrom, down

+pendLatinto hang

+entLatinpresent-participle ending

The pieces describe something “hanging from” another thing. Applied figuratively, dependent describes someone or something sustained by an outside source and therefore relying on it for support or existence.

In context

Tim Fletcher4:22

maintaining your career, maintaining your job, not getting fired, is dependent on you performing to a certain level.

Why Work Triggers Your Deepest Insecurities | Work and Complex Trauma - Part 4/7

More examples

Our departure time is dependent on the weather.
She becomes less dependent on her parents as she earns more.
He supports two dependents on a single income.

Forms

dependent · dependents · more dependent · most dependent

depend verb — To rely on someone or something.

dependence noun — The state of needing outside support.

Similar words

reliant: Emphasizes needing support rather than being determined by conditions.
contingent: Emphasizes an outcome depending on a particular condition.
conditional: Usually describes an offer or agreement requiring specified conditions.