independent

¹in·de·pen·dent

adj \ˌin-də-ˈpen-dənt\

Definition of INDEPENDENT

1

: not dependent: as a (1) : not subject to control by others : self-governing (2) : not affiliated with a larger controlling unit <an independent bookstore> b (1) : not requiring or relying on something else : not contingent <an independent conclusion> (2) : not looking to others for one's opinions or for guidance in conduct (3) : not bound by or committed to a political party c (1) : not requiring or relying on others (as for care or livelihood) <independent of her parents> (2) : being enough to free one from the necessity of working for a living <a person of independent means> d : showing a desire for freedom <an independent manner> e (1) : not determined by or capable of being deduced or derived from or expressed in terms of members (as axioms or equations) of the set under consideration; especially : having linear independence <an independent set of vectors> (2) : having the property that the joint probability (as of events or samples) or the joint probability density function (as of random variables) equals the product of the probabilities or probability density functions of separate occurrence

2

capitalized : of or relating to the Independents

3

a : main 5 <an independent clause> b : neither deducible from nor incompatible with another statement <independent postulates>

— in·de·pen·dent·ly adverb

Examples of INDEPENDENT

1. The country recently became independent.
2. They have a good deal of independent authority.
3. She has an independent income.
4. Another laboratory has provided independent confirmation of the test results.
5. She is a very independent person.
6. She has an independent mind.
7. They lead an independent life.

First Known Use of INDEPENDENT

1611

Related to INDEPENDENT

Synonyms: self–sufficient, self-dependent, self-reliant, self-subsistent, self-subsisting, self-supported, self-supporting, self-sustained, self-sustaining

Antonyms: dependent, reliant

Related Words: autonomous, free, self-determining; potent, powerful, resilient, strong

Near Antonyms: helpless, inadequate, incompetent, insufficient; impotent, weak

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Rhymes with INDEPENDENT

codependent