independence

/ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌɪndɪpˈɛndəns] /ˌɪndɪˈpendəns/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌɪndɪpˈɛndəns] /ˌin-də-ˈpen-dən(t)s/ (ame, mw)

independence — noun

1. a country's state of governing itself instead of being controlled by another nat

1.名詞B2
釋義

a country's state of governing itself instead of being controlled by another nation

例句

India celebrated independence with parades across New Delhi.

celebrate independence as a national event

After years of war, the island finally won independence from Portugal.

win independence from another country

同義詞
  • sovereignty

    is more formal and often stresses legal or political authority

  • self-rule

    focuses on governing yourself rather than being governed from outside

  • autonomy

    can describe partial self-government, not always full nationhood

反義詞

文法句型

declare independence

gain independence from another country

fight for independence

用法筆記

Often appears with verbs like declare, gain, win, or celebrate. This sense is about a country's political status, not a person's ability to manage life alone.

常見錯誤

❌The colony got an independence in 1960.
✅The colony gained independence in 1960.
💡Independence is usually uncountable in this political sense, so we do not use a or an.

2. the condition of arranging your own life and choices without other people decidi

2.名詞B1
釋義

the condition of arranging your own life and choices without other people deciding everything for you

例句

Rina's first job gave her enough independence to rent a small studio.

enough independence to + verb

The teacher praised Leo's independence during the group science project.

independence shown in school work

同義詞
  • autonomy

    sounds a little more formal and often stresses the right to decide for yourself

  • self-reliance

    emphasizes managing without practical help from other people

  • freedom

    is broader and can include many kinds of choice, not only personal self-direction

反義詞
  • dependence

    means needing other people for support or decisions

文法句型

have enough independence to do something

encourage independence in children

keep your independence

用法筆記

Often describes how much control a person has over daily decisions, money, or living arrangements. Distinguish it from sense 1, which is about a country's political freedom.

常見錯誤

❌My son became independence at eighteen.
✅My son became independent at eighteen.
💡Independence is a noun; after become, use the adjective independent.