dependant
dependant — noun
1. a person, especially a child or an elderly relative, who needs another person to
a person, especially a child or an elderly relative, who needs another person to provide them with a home, food, and money because they cannot support themselves
The Watanabe family listed three dependants on their tax form: two children and Mr. Watanabe's mother.
common in tax/benefit forms
Employees can claim extra health insurance for each dependant living in their household.
collocation: claim for a dependant
As a student with no income, Fatima was listed as a dependant on her parents' annual tax return.
- family member
less specific; does not imply financial reliance
- child
narrower; only a minor or young person
- beneficiary
more formal; used mainly in legal or insurance contexts
- breadwinner
the person who provides the financial support
用法筆記
Common in British official forms, tax declarations, and benefit applications. In the US, the spelling is typically 'dependent', but the meaning is the same. The noun always refers to a person, not a condition or state.
常見錯誤
dependant — adjective
1. needing another person to provide food, money, care, or a home because you canno
needing another person to provide food, money, care, or a home because you cannot manage alone
After the accident, Pedro was completely dependant on his sister for meals and transport to hospital visits.
pattern: dependant on [person] for [things]
The charity provides hot meals for elderly people who are dependant on others for daily care.
Many young adults remain dependant on their parents while they finish university in London.
- reliant
slightly more formal; used with 'on'
- supported by
describes the situation without the emotional connotation
- independent
able to manage without help from others
- self-sufficient
needing no outside help at all
文法句型
dependant + on + noun/person
用法筆記
Use 'dependant on' (British spelling) when describing a person who relies on someone else. For the US spelling, always use 'dependent'. This sense overlaps with the noun, but the noun refers to the person, while the adjective describes the state.
常見錯誤
2. happening or existing only because something else happens first; not fixed or fi
happening or existing only because something else happens first; not fixed or final until a particular condition is met
The funding for the new library is dependant on approval from the city council next month.
pattern: dependant + on + noun phrase
My job offer is dependant upon passing a background check and a health examination.
formal: dependant + upon
- contingent
more formal; used in formal and academic writing
- conditional
emphasises that one thing must happen before another
- independent
not affected or controlled by other things
文法句型
dependant + on/upon + noun phrase
用法筆記
Unlike the US spelling 'dependent on', this British spelling retains the '-ant' ending in all contexts. Both 'on' and 'upon' are used, with 'upon' sounding more formal.
常見錯誤
3. physically or psychologically unable to stop using a substance such as a drug, a
physically or psychologically unable to stop using a substance such as a drug, alcohol, or medication because the body has grown used to it
The clinic treats patients who have become dependant on prescription painkillers after surgery.
formal/clinical register: dependant on [substance]
Dr. Adebayo explained that the patient was not dependant on the drug but was still suffering withdrawal symptoms.
- addicted
more common in everyday speech; less clinical
- habituated
very formal; used in psychology texts
文法句型
dependant + on + drug/substance
用法筆記
This sense is primarily used in formal medical and clinical writing. In everyday conversation, 'addicted' is more common than 'dependant' for this meaning. The US spelling 'dependent' is standard in medical literature worldwide.