codependent: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Psychological, Clinical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “codependent” mean?
A relationship dynamic where one person psychologically depends on another who needs to be needed, often characterized by excessive emotional or psychological reliance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A relationship dynamic where one person psychologically depends on another who needs to be needed, often characterized by excessive emotional or psychological reliance.
Relating to or involving a mutually dependent relationship where one person's needs are enabled by another's controlling or caretaking behaviours, often in contexts of addiction, mental health, or dysfunctional relationships.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The concept is identical in both varieties.
Connotations
Strongly associated with therapy and recovery movements (e.g., Al-Anon, Codependents Anonymous) in both cultures.
Frequency
Slightly more prevalent in American self-help and pop psychology discourse, but well-established in British clinical and therapeutic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “codependent” in a Sentence
[be/become] codependent on [someone][someone] is in a codependent relationship with [someone]a codependent [person/partner/parent]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “codependent” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They have codependented for years, unable to function apart.
- (Note: Verb use is very rare and non-standard; 'to be/become codependent' is standard.)
American English
- (Verb form is highly non-standard and discouraged in formal writing.)
adverb
British English
- (Extremely rare. 'Codependently' is theoretically possible but almost never used.)
American English
- They lived codependently for decades. (Very rare, marked usage.)
adjective
British English
- Their codependent dynamic made it impossible for either to seek help individually.
- She recognised her codependent tendencies after reading the book.
American English
- He's in a codependent relationship with his alcoholic brother.
- The therapist identified classic codependent behaviors.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially used metaphorically to describe unhealthy dependencies between companies or departments.
Academic
Common in psychology, sociology, and counselling literature to describe specific relational pathologies.
Everyday
Used in conversations about relationships, therapy, and personal growth, often with a self-help tone.
Technical
A clinical term in psychology and psychotherapy with defined criteria related to boundary issues and enabling behaviours.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “codependent”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “codependent”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “codependent”
- Using it to mean simply 'very close' or 'mutually supportive' (which is positive interdependence).
- Confusing it with 'interdependent' (which can be healthy).
- Misspelling as 'co-dependent' (hyphenated form is becoming less common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in its standard psychological usage. It describes an unhealthy, dysfunctional relationship pattern, not a positive or neutral closeness.
Yes, commonly. A 'codependent' is a person exhibiting codependent behaviour (e.g., 'She is a codependent'). The noun form 'codependency' refers to the condition or pattern.
'Dependent' means relying on someone/something. 'Codependent' specifically refers to a two-person system where the dependency is mutual and pathological: one person depends on the other being dependent on them (often through caretaking or enabling).
Modern dictionaries (e.g., Oxford, Merriam-Webster) list 'codependent' as the primary spelling. The hyphenated form 'co-dependent' is an older variant that is still acceptable but less common in contemporary usage.
A relationship dynamic where one person psychologically depends on another who needs to be needed, often characterized by excessive emotional or psychological reliance.
Codependent is usually formal, psychological, clinical, academic in register.
Codependent: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkəʊ.dɪˈpen.dənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkoʊ.dɪˈpen.dənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tied at the hip (in a negative sense)”
- “In each other's pockets”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'CO-driver who is DEPENDENT' on a bad driver to feel needed. They both need the dysfunctional journey to continue.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELATIONSHIP IS A SICK SYSTEM / LOVE IS AN ADDICTION (where the 'drug' is being needed or taking care of someone dysfunctional).
Practice
Quiz
In psychological terms, a 'codependent' relationship is best described as: