independent
English meaning: Independent
Definition
A candidate or voter not affiliated with any political party, a freethinker, free of a party platform.
Example
“The colony finally became an independent nation in 1960.”
Another example: “She ran as an independent rather than joining either major party.”
Usage — When, Where & How
An adjective meaning self-governing or not relying on others ('an independent country', 'financially independent'), and a noun for an unaffiliated politician or business. Common in politics, finance, and everyday speech. Often followed by 'of'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
Formed from 'in-' ('not') + 'dependent' (from Latin 'dependere', 'to hang from'), the word dating from the 17th century.
Synonyms
- free
- autonomous
- individual
- mugwump
- main
- self-reliant
- separatist
- autarkic
- freelance
- unaffiliated
Antonyms / Opposites
- dependent
- subordinate
Related Words
- label
- labels
- variables
- candidate
- croatia
- suspension
- candidates
- entity
- variable
- wrestling
Common Collocations
- independent country
- financially independent
- independent of
- independent review
- fiercely independent
Word Forms
independent (adj/n); independently (adv); independence (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B