dependance

dependance — noun

1. the state of needing a person, system, or resource so regularly that life or nor

1.名詞C2
釋義

the state of needing a person, system, or resource so regularly that life or normal activity cannot continue well without it

例句

The island's dependance on imported fuel became clear during the ferry strike.

dependance on + essential resource

After the flood, the town's dependance on volunteer kitchens lasted for months.

同義詞
  • dependency

    more common in modern English and often used in official or technical writing

  • reliance

    adds more of an idea of trust, not only need

反義詞

文法句型

dependance + on + noun phrase

reduce dependance on + noun phrase

emotional dependance on + person

用法筆記

Often followed by on or upon when the source of support is named. Distinguish this sense from sense 3: sense 1 is a continuing state of need, not simply trust in someone's judgment.

常見錯誤

❌The village's dependance of outside aid kept growing.
✅The village's dependance on outside aid kept growing.
💡dependance takes on or upon, not of.

2. addiction to a substance, especially alcohol or drugs, that makes a person feel

2.名詞C2
釋義

addiction to a substance, especially alcohol or drugs, that makes a person feel unable to stop using it

例句

Doctors warned that alcohol dependance can begin with daily heavy drinking.

alcohol dependance

Years of painkillers left Chidi in deep dependance on the tablets.

dependance on + substance

同義詞
  • addiction

    the usual modern word and often stronger in everyday speech

  • habituation

    more formal and can suggest a weaker or clinical stage of drug reliance

反義詞
  • sobriety

    freedom from alcohol or drug misuse

文法句型

dependance on + substance

develop dependance on + substance

alcohol dependance

用法筆記

Used chiefly in medical, counseling, and public-health contexts. Distinguish this sense from sense 1 by the focus on habit-forming substances rather than general support or survival needs.

常見錯誤

❌She has dependance with sleeping pills.
✅She has dependance on sleeping pills.
💡this medical sense is normally followed by on.
❌His dependance on alcohol was just a habit.
✅His dependance on alcohol had become an addiction.
💡this sense refers to compulsive use, not a simple preference.

3. reliance on someone or something because you believe they will guide, help, or p

3.名詞C2
釋義

reliance on someone or something because you believe they will guide, help, or protect you well

例句

Cyrus placed too much dependance on the rumor he heard at lunch.

place dependance on + source

The pilot's dependance on the co-pilot's advice kept the landing smooth.

dependance on + advice

同義詞
  • reliance

    the more usual modern noun for trust-based depending

  • confidence

    focuses more on belief in ability than on leaning on someone

反義詞
  • distrust

    a lack of confidence in the person or source

文法句型

place dependance on + noun phrase

dependance on + advice or judgment

too much dependance on + source

用法筆記

This sense highlights trust in someone's judgment or reliability rather than basic survival need. It often appears after verbs such as place or put, especially in formal writing.

常見錯誤

❌She placed dependance in his advice.
✅She placed dependance on his advice.
💡this noun takes on, not in, before the trusted source.

4. a person or thing that someone regularly turns to for help, steadiness, or suppo

4.名詞C2
釋義

a person or thing that someone regularly turns to for help, steadiness, or support

例句

For the night crew, the old kettle became a daily dependance each winter.

be a dependance

Reuben became his younger brother's only dependance after their father left.

someone's only dependance

同義詞
  • mainstay

    more common and often used for a key source of support

  • support

    broader and less literary

文法句型

be a dependance

remain a dependance

someone's only dependance

用法筆記

Rare and somewhat literary in modern English. Unlike sense 1 or sense 3, this sense names the person or thing relied on, not the act or condition of relying.