A2adjective 1K

Independent

UK /["/ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/"]/ US /["/ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/"]/ Pronunciation

Definition

having its own government

Listen to definition

In simple words: Not relying on others; self-sufficient.

Examples

• She chose to be independent and live on her own.
• An independent woman often pursues her own career goals.
• The company is known for its independent approach to innovation.
• Being independent means making your own decisions.
• He values his independent lifestyle and enjoys exploring new places.
• The artist is not part of any independent label, which gives her creative freedom.
• After college, I felt ready to become independent and support myself.
• An independent review will help ensure the project is evaluated fairly.
• Many independent films have unique storytelling styles.

Usage notes

Use 'independent' to describe someone or something that does not need help from others. It's appropriate in both personal and professional contexts, but can be less suitable in situations where dependence is typical, such as children or teams.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'in' + 'depend' — you're inside (independent) without any dependencies!

Collocations

• be
• become
• remain
• completely
• entirely
• fully
• from
• of
• be
• feel
• seem
• fiercely
• very
• completely
• of
• be
• feel
• seem
• fiercely
• very
• completely
• of
• be
• become
• remain
• completely
• entirely
• fully
• from
• of

Synonyms

• self-governing

Antonyms

• dependent
• reliant
• subordinate

Common mistakes

• Confusing it with 'dependable', which means reliable.
• Using it incorrectly in the context of relationships, where interdependence may be more suitable.
• Overusing the term in formal settings where a simpler synonym could work.