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Is it ever correct to use dependant instead of dependent?
The simple answer to the question of when dependant should be preferred to dependent is—for the American writer, anyway—maybe never. But that's only the simple answer.
In British English, dependant tends to be used for the noun, as in "a person's spouse and dependants," while dependent is the usual choice for the adjective, as in "a person's spouse and dependent children." In American English, dependent typically does both jobs.
This wasn't always the case: dependant is the older of the pair. The word is derived from French dépendant, which was borrowed into English during the Middle Ages with two different meanings: a literal one, "hanging down" (dépendant is the present participle of the French verb dépendre, meaning "to hang down”) and an extended one, “determined or conditioned by another.”
For two centuries, the English adjective was frequently spelled with final -ant or -aunt. But in the 16th century, the spelling of the word began to shift toward the -ent ending, influenced by the Latin form of the word, dēpendēnt. It is this Latinized spelling of the adjective that is predominately found in American and British English today.
The French-derived dependant, however, still has life across the pond—as a noun. The noun form is newer; it dates to the early 16th century, around the time that the spelling of the word was shifting. Why the -ant spelling for the noun had more staying power in British English is unknown. As the Oxford English Dictionary notes, it was possibly influenced by other nouns, such as defendant and assistant.
In summary, dependant can be used for the noun in either British or American English, but dependent for either noun or adjective is a safe choice in American English.
Synonyms
Examples of dependent in a Sentence
Bobby Allyn, NPR, 3 Apr. 2024
Erdoğan’s unorthodox economic policies—repeatedly cutting interest rates—were supposed to raise investment and make Turkey less dependent on foreign powers.
—Leif Wenar, WIRED, 2 Apr. 2024
High temperatures are a bit uncertain dependent on rain and such, but so far upper 50s to low 60s seems like a good range.
—A. Camden Walker, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024
This invulnerability to interdiction facilitates ties among Eurasia’s revisionists—just as the war in Ukraine pushes them closer together by making Russia more dependent on, and willing to cut deals with, its autocratic brethren.
—Hal Brands, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2024
Or a rural community, once dependent on fossil fuels, thriving on the skills to build a greener future.
—Jeff Sprau, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
The port directly generates over 15,000 jobs, with an additional 140,000 jobs dependent on port activity, according to Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s office.
—David Lawder, The Christian Science Monitor, 28 Mar. 2024
When a person dependent on opioids stops taking them, their body goes into withdrawal, often accompanied by shakes, nausea, fever, sweating, and chills.
—Lauren Peace, CNN, 27 Mar. 2024
Companies including Google, Intel, and Qualcomm are planning to make the AI sector less dependent on Nvidia by building an open-source suite of software and tools that would serve as an alternative to Nvidia’s CUDA software platform, which most developers use to build AI applications.
—Verne Kopytoff, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2024
Liz Weston, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2024
Much like the current Saver’s Credit, the Saver’s Match is not available for people under age 18, those who are claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return or are full-time students.
—Julie Jason, Jd, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
But in arming and supporting these regional dependents, patrons also have to give them significant leeway to pursue their own policies.
—Joost Hiltermann, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2024
People who are permanently and totally disabled at any time during the year, regardless of age, can be claimed as dependents.
—Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024
The study found that pre-populated returns would be most accurate for filers who are single, have no dependents, don’t qualify for credits or deductions, and have less than $100,000 in wages.
—Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Mar. 2024
In December, the House introduced legislation to increase the deduction limit to $10,000, plus $500 for dependents.
—Cortlynn Stark, Sacramento Bee, 1 Feb. 2024
Active military members and their dependents can check up to five bags free when traveling on military orders.
—Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 19 Mar. 2024
Others are connected to the Social Security Disability Insurance program, which aids disabled workers and their dependents.
—Fred Clasen-Kelly, CBS News, 14 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dependent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Adjective and Noun
Middle English dependant, from Anglo-French, present participle of dependre — see depend
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
1523, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing dependent
Articles Related to dependent
Dictionary Entries Near dependent
Cite this Entry
“Dependent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dependent. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
dependent
1 of 2 adjectivedependent
2 of 2 noun
Medical Definition
dependent
1 of 2 adjective
dependent
2 of 2 noun
Legal Definition
dependent
1 of 2 adjectiveL. H. Tribedependent
2 of 2 noun
More from Merriam-Webster on dependent
Nglish: Translation of dependent for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of dependent for Arabic Speakers
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