adj(1) 依靠(赖)的(needing support of another to exist or function) [A(on/upon)]：～children 不能自立的孩子;be～on one's parents/one's friends/a grant 依赖父母/朋友/助学金;Each plant and animal is～in some way upon other living things. 每一种植物和动物都这样或那样地依赖别的生物。The shop is～on the bank for support. 这家商店仰仗银行的支持。〖反〗independent;

(2) 取决于……的(affected or determined by sb/sth else) [A(on/upon)][作pred]：Our success is～on (upon) your help/a number of circumstances. 我们的成功取决于你们的帮助/许多情况。Good health is～on (upon) proper nourishment. 好身体取决于适当的营养。Whether we go or not is～on whether we have enough money. 我们去不去取决于我们是否有足够的钱。

(3)(身体上)离不开的(needing sth physically) [A(on/upon)][作pred]：be～on drugs/alcohol 离不开麻醉品/酒(精);

(4) 从属的(subordinate;subject)：a～territory 附属地;a～clause(=subordinate clause)(gram)从句;

←de′pend vi;

→inde′pendent adj 独立的;

n (BrE also -ant)依靠他人养活的人(person who relies on another for materiel support(a home， food， clothing， money， etc)) [C](又作dependant)：I am my father's only～. 我是父亲唯一要抚养的人。a tax allowance for each～对每个被赡养人所得税的减免;He has two～s to support. 他有两个人要赡养。

【注意】dependent 后接介词on，而independent，independently则后接of，如：be independent of one's parents(不依赖父母而自立);do sth independently of sb else(不依赖别人独立做某事)。