adjective
independent
Free from outside control or able to act without others' help.
She is independent and handles her daily tasks without help.
Etymology
The Latin verb links reliance with hanging from a support. The negative prefix describes someone who does not require that external support or submit to that control.
More examples
- The newspaper remains independent of government control.
- He wants to be financially independent of his parents.
- Children become more independent as they learn new skills.
Forms
independent · more independent · most independent
independence noun — Freedom from outside control or help.
independently adverb — Without outside control or another person's help.
Similar words
- autonomous
- Emphasizes authority to govern oneself or make one's own decisions.
- self-reliant
- Emphasizes trusting one's own abilities rather than seeking others' help.