independent

1 of 2

adjective

in·​de·​pen·​dent ˌin-də-ˈpen-dənt 

1

: not dependent: such 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 (such 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 sense 5

an independent clause

b

: neither deducible from nor incompatible with another statement

independent postulates

independently adverb

independent

2 of 2

noun

1

: one that is independent

especially, often capitalized : one that is not bound by or definitively committed to a political party

2

capitalized : a sectarian of an English religious movement for congregational autonomy originating in the late 16th century, giving rise to Congregationalists, Baptists, and Friends, and forming one of the major political groupings of the period of Cromwell

Synonyms

Adjective

• autonomous
• powerful
• self-sufficient
• self-reliant
• self-dependent
• self-sustaining
• self-sustained
• free

Choose the Right Synonym for independent

free, independent, sovereign, autonomous mean not subject to the rule or control of another.

free stresses the complete absence of external rule and the full right to make all of one's own decisions.

you're free to do as you like

independent implies a standing alone; applied to a state it implies lack of connection with any other having power to interfere with its citizens, laws, or policies.

the colony's struggle to become independent

sovereign stresses the absence of a superior power and implies supremacy within a thing's own domain or sphere.

separate and sovereign armed services

autonomous stresses independence in matters pertaining to self-government.

in this denomination each congregation is regarded as autonomous

Examples of independent in a Sentence

Adjective

The country recently became independent.

They have a good deal of independent authority.

She has an independent income.

Another laboratory has provided independent confirmation of the test results.

She is a very independent person.

She has an independent mind.

They lead an independent life.

Noun

She registered to vote as an Independent.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

According to the latest McKinsey American Opportunity Survey, 36% of the U.S. labor force identifies as independent workers today, up from 27% in 2016. —Roomy Khan, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

Democratic leaders have come under criticism from within, some for pushing the party too far left, and others for appearing too conciliatory toward Trump, and a number who have felt disillusioned with its agenda have left the party entirely to either identify as independent or as a Republican. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025

Noun

Sixty-three percent oppose, according to a poll by YouGov, including over 70% of Democrats and independents, as well as 53% of Republicans. —Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 21 June 2025

That poll surveyed 1,000 Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents from June 13 to June 15, 2025. —Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing independent

• independent assortment
• independent city
• independent clause
• independent contractor
• independent study
• independent suspension
• independent variable
• law of independent assortment
• of independent means
• semi-independent

Rhymes for independent

• codefendant
• appendant
• ascendant
• attendant
• defendant
• dependant
• dependent
• descendant
• descendent
• intendant
• resplendent
• transcendent

Kids Definition

independent

1 of 2 adjective

in·​de·​pen·​dent ˌin-də-ˈpen-dənt 

1

: not being controlled or ruled by another : free

an independent nation

2

: not having connections with another : separate

the same story told by independent witnesses

3

: having or providing enough money to live on without anyone else's help

also : not having to work for a living

a person of independent means

4

: not easily influenced

an independent mind

5

: having full meaning in itself and capable of standing alone as a simple sentence : main entry 2

an independent clause

6

: not belonging to a political party

7

: having probabilities such that whether or not one event takes place does not influence whether or not another event takes place

the outcomes of the tossing of two dice are independent

independently adverb

independent

2 of 2 noun

: one that is independent

especially : a voter who doesn't belong to a political party

Legal Definition

independent

adjective

in·​de·​pen·​dent

1

: not dependent on others (as parents) for livelihood

especially : not a dependent

declared she was independent on her financial aid form

2

a

: not affiliated with another usually larger unit

an independent adjuster

b

: not contingent on something else

an independent promise

independence noun

independently adverb