dependant

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de·pen·dent

(dĭ-pĕn′dənt)

adj.

1. Determined, influenced, or controlled by something else.

2. Grammar Subordinate to another clause, phrase, or word.

3. Relying on or requiring the aid or support of another: adult children who are still dependent on their parents.

4. Needing to continue use of a drug or other substance or engagement in a specific activity in order to avoid experiencing withdrawal symptoms: dependent on alcohol.

5. Archaic Hanging down.

also de·pen·dant One who relies on another, especially for financial support.

de·pen′dent·ly adv.

Synonyms: dependent , conditional , contingent , subject
These adjectives mean determined by something else: a water supply dependent on rainfall; conditional acceptance of the apology; assistance contingent on need; promotion subject to merit.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

dependant

(dɪˈpɛndənt)

a person who depends on another person, organization, etc, for support, aid, or sustenance, esp financial support

Usage: Avoid confusion with Avoid confusion of dependant with dependent

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

dependent

– dependant

1. used as an adjective

If you are dependent on someone or something, you need them in order to survive.

At first, a patient may feel very dependent on the nurses.

...those who are entirely dependent for their welfare on the public services.

All competitively priced newspapers became dependent on advertising.

2. used as a noun

In British English, your dependants are the people who you support financially, such as your children.

...shorter or more flexible working hours for people with dependants.

In American English, this noun is usually spelled dependent.

Employees and their dependents are seeking help in greater numbers.

Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Switch to new thesaurus

Noun	1.	dependant - a person who relies on another person for support (especially financial support) dependent recipient, receiver - a person who receives something charge - a person committed to your care; "the teacher led her charges across the street" minion - a servile or fawning dependant
Adj.	1.	dependant - contingent on something else dependent, qualified conditional - imposing or depending on or containing a condition; "conditional acceptance of the terms"; "lent conditional support"; "the conditional sale will not be complete until the full purchase price is paid"
	2.	dependant - addicted to a drug drug-addicted, strung-out, hooked, dependent addicted - compulsively or physiologically dependent on something habit-forming; "she is addicted to chocolate"; "addicted to cocaine"

dependant

noun relative, child, minor, subordinate, cohort (chiefly U.S.), protégé, henchman, retainer, hanger-on, minion, vassal They raise funds to help ex-service personnel and their dependants.

Usage: Dependant is the generally accepted correct spelling in British usage for the noun and always refers to people: if you are single and have no dependants. The adjective should be spelt dependent: tax allowance for dependent (not dependant) children. American usage spells both adjective and noun with an e in the last syllable.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

dependent

adjective

1. Determined or to be determined by someone or something else:

conditional, conditioned, contingent, relative, reliant, subject.

2. In a position of subordination:

collateral, subject, subordinate, subservient.

noun

A person who relies on another for support:

charge, ward.

Translations

مُعْتَمِد، تابِع

rodinný příslušníkzávislá osoba

person

Angehörige Angehöriger

ülalpeetav

dépendant personne à charge

eltartott

persona a carico

person som en forsørger

rodinný príslušník

bakmakla yükümlü olunan kimse

受赡养者

dependant

[dɪˈpendənt] N persona a cargo de algn
I have no dependants → no tengo cargas familiares
how many dependants does he have? → ¿cuántas personas tiene a su cargo?

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

dependant

[dɪˈpɛndənt] n → personne f à charge

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

dependant

, dependent

n → Abhängige(r) mf; do you have dependants? → haben Sie (abhängige) Angehörige?

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

dependant

[dɪˈpɛndənt] n → persona a carico

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

depend

(diˈpend) verb

(with on).

1. to rely on. You can't depend on his arriving on time.

2. to rely on receiving necessary (financial) support from. The school depends for its survival on money from the Church.

3. (of a future happening etc) to be decided by. Our success depends on everyone working hard.

deˈpendable adjective

(negative undependable) trustworthy or reliable. I know he'll remember to get the wine – he's very dependable.

deˈpendant noun

a person who is kept or supported by another. He has five dependants to support – a wife and four children.

deˈpendent adjective

1. relying on (someone etc) for (financial) support. He is totally dependent on his parents.

2. (of a future happening etc) to be decided by. Whether we go or not is dependent on whether we have enough money.

it/that depends, it all depends

what happens, is decided etc, will be affected by something else. I don't know if I'll go to the party – it all depends.

to look after one's dependants (not dependents).
to be dependent (not dependant) on one's parents.

References in classic literature ?

I am obscure: Rivers is an old name; but of the three sole descendants of the race, two earn the dependant's crust among strangers, and the third considers himself an alien from his native country--not only for life, but in death.

Diana and Mary were soon to leave Moor House, and return to the far different life and scene which awaited them, as governesses in a large, fashionable, south-of-England city, where each held a situation in families by whose wealthy and haughty members they were regarded only as humble dependants, and who neither knew nor sought out their innate excellences, and appreciated only their acquired accomplishments as they appreciated the skill of their cook or the taste of their waiting-woman.

View in context

The spirit of clanship which was, at an early day, introduced into that kingdom, uniting the nobles and their dependants by ties equivalent to those of kindred, rendered the aristocracy a constant overmatch for the power of the monarch, till the incorporation with England subdued its fierce and ungovernable spirit, and reduced it within those rules of subordination which a more rational and more energetic system of civil polity had previously established in the latter kingdom.

View in context

By the aid of cunning architects he had first blasted his harbour into shape, then built his hotels and pleasure-palaces, and then leased them to dependants of his who knew the right sort of people, and who knew that it was as much as their lease was worth to find accommodation for teetotal amateur photographers or wistful wandering Sunday-school treats.

View in context

``To the gate, knaves!'' said the Saxon, hastily, as soon as the tumult was so much appeased that the dependants could hear his voice.

``Bois-Guilbert,'' said Cedric, still in the musing, half-arguing tone, which the habit of living among dependants had accustomed him to employ, and which resembled a man who talks to himself rather than to those around him ``Bois-Guilbert?

View in context

Under sections 57A and 57B of the Employment Rights Act 1996, employees are entitled to take a 'reasonable' amount of unpaid leave, during working hours, to take 'necessary action' to deal with emergency situations involving their dependants. What constitutes 'reasonable' and 'necessary' is fact-specific, while who is considered a dependant is defined in the law.

Mark Hamilton: You dependents come before your work in some circumstances

This deduction is available on mediclaim policies purchased to cover yourself, spouses and dependant children, and parents (dependant or not).

Healthy discounts

Q UNDER the terms of my pension, who is likely to qualify as a dependant?

Your Money: Q&A YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Curtis Robb, athletics: dependant onqualification, the 800m semi-final (from 6.15pm at the City of Manchester Stadium).

Commonwealth Games: WHEN AND WHERE MERSEYSIDE COMPETITORS ARE IN ACTION

To provide assistance or to make arrangements for the provision of care when a dependant falls ill, gives birth or is injured.