depend

verb de·pend \di-ˈpend\

—used in speech in phrases like it depends and that depends to say that the answer to a question will be different in different situations

Full Definition of DEPEND

intransitive verb

: to be determined, based, or contingent <life depends on food> <the value of Y depends on X>

: to be pending or undecided

a : to place reliance or trust <you can depend on me>

b : to be dependent especially for financial support

: to hang down

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See depend defined for kids

Origin of DEPEND

Middle English, from Anglo-French dependre, modification of Latin dependēre, from de- + pendēre to hang — more at pendant

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to DEPEND

Synonyms: hang, hinge, ride, turn

Rhymes with DEPEND

addend, amend, append, ascend, attend, bartend, befriend, Big Bend, bookend, boyfriend, closed-end, commend, compend, contend, dead end, dead-end, defend, descend, distend, downtrend, emend, expend, extend, fag end, forfend, front-end, girlfriend, Gravesend, headend, high-end, hornblende, impend, intend, Land's End, loose end, low-end, missend, misspend, next friend, no end, offend, on end, Ostend, outspend, perpend, pitchblende, portend, pretend, propend, protend, rear-end, resend, sheet bend, South Bend, split end, stipend, subtend, suspend, tag end, tail end, tight end, top-end, transcend, unbend, unkenned, upend, uptrend, weekend, year-end

DEPENDED Defined for Kids

depend

verb de·pend \di-ˈpend\

de·pend·edde·pend·ing

Definition of DEPEND for Kids

: to be subject to determination by the situation <Are you going to the party? I don't know. It depends.>

— depend on

: to rely for support <Children depend on their parents.>

: to be determined by or based on a person, action, or condition <The people had been very proud … that victory or defeat depended on them. — Theodore Taylor, The Cay>

: ¹trust 2, rely <You can depend on me to get the job done.>

Word Root of DEPEND

The Latin word pendere, meaning “to cause to hang down,” gives us the root pend. Words from the Latin pendere have something to do with hanging. To suspend is to cause something to hang down from a single point. To depend is to hang, or rely, on the support of others. A pendant is an ornament that hangs free, as on a necklace. A pendulum is an object hung from a point that swings freely back and forth, as in a clock.

Learn More About DEPEND

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "depend"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "depend"

Nglish: Translation of "depend" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "depend" for Arabic speakers

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