/ ˌɪndɪˈpendənt; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective
COUNTRY
1.
independent (from / of sth) ( of countries ) having their own government
SYN self-governing :
Mozambique became independent in 1975.
SEPARATE
2.
done or given by sb who is not involved in a situation and so is able to judge it fairly :
an independent inquiry / witness
She went to a lawyer for some independent advice .
3.
independent (of sb/sth) not connected with or influenced by sth; not connected with each other :
The police force should be independent of direct government control.
Two independent research bodies reached the same conclusions.
ORGANIZATION
4.
supported by private money rather than government money :
independent television / schools
the independent sector
PERSON
5.
independent (of sb/sth) confident and free to do things without needing help from other people :
Going away to college has made me much more independent.
She's a very independent-minded young woman.
Students should aim to become more independent of their teachers.
OPP dependent
6.
independent (of sb/sth) having or earning enough money so that you do not have to rely on sb else for help :
It was important to me to be financially independent of my parents.
a man of independent means (= with an income that he does not earn by working)
OPP dependent
POLITICIAN
7.
not representing or belonging to a particular political party :
an independent candidate
► in·de·pend·ent·ly adverb independently (of sb/sth) :
The two departments work independently of each other.
It was the first time that she had lived independently.
■ noun
( abbr. Ind. ) a member of parliament, candidate, etc. who does not belong to a particular political party
••
WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent. (as an adjective): partly on the pattern of French indépendant .