dependency
B2Formal to neutral. Common in academic, technical, and political contexts.
Definition
Meaning
The state of relying on something or someone else for support, existence, or proper functioning.
A territory controlled or governed by another country; in computing, a software component required for a program to work; a compulsive need for a substance or activity.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word has a neutral core but can carry negative connotations (e.g., lack of autonomy) or positive ones (e.g., healthy interdependence). It spans physical, psychological, political, and technical domains.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use it identically across meanings. The colonial/political sense might be slightly more frequent in British historical contexts.
Connotations
In both, 'drug/alcohol dependency' is a clinical/neutral term, whereas 'dependence' is also used. 'Dependency' can sound slightly more formal or institutional.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English, particularly in computing contexts ('software dependency').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
dependency on/upon [noun]dependency of [noun] on/upon [noun]dependency between [noun] and [noun]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly with 'dependency'. Related: 'tied to someone's apron strings' (excessive dependency).]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The company aims to reduce its dependency on a single supplier.
Academic
The study examined the dependency ratio in ageing populations.
Everyday
His dependency on his phone is getting a bit ridiculous.
Technical
The package manager automatically installs all necessary dependencies.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The system depends on stable power.
- He depends on his parents for rent.
American English
- The project depends on federal funding.
- She depends on her morning coffee.
adverb
British English
- The plan worked dependably well.
- He dependably completes his tasks on time.
American English
- The car has run dependably for years.
- She is dependably early for meetings.
adjective
British English
- She is financially dependent on her partner.
- A drug-dependent individual.
American English
- He became dependent on the medication.
- The module is dependent on the main library.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Babies have a total dependency on their parents.
- The island was a dependency of a larger country.
- We need to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.
- His dependency on social media affects his concentration.
- The country's economic dependency on tourism makes it vulnerable.
- Managing software dependencies is a key part of a developer's job.
- The policy aimed to curtail the nation's dependency on foreign energy imports.
- Psychological dependency can be as powerful as physical addiction in substance abuse disorders.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PENdent (something hanging) needing support. A de-PEN-dency is a state where something is 'hanging from' or relying on something else.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEPENDENCY IS A PHYSICAL SUPPORT (leaning on, hanging from, being propped up). DEPENDENCY IS A BOND OR TIE (being tied to, connected to).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'зависимость' for all contexts. For 'software dependency', use 'зависимость'. For 'colonial dependency', use 'зависимая территория'. For 'dependency ratio', use 'коэффициент иждивенческой нагрузки'.
- Do not confuse with 'dependence' which is often interchangeable but 'dependency' is more often the countable noun (e.g., a dependency, the dependencies).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'dependency' as an adjective ('dependency issues' is correct, but the adjective is 'dependent').
- Misspelling as 'dependancy' (incorrect).
- Confusing 'drug dependency' (state) with 'drug dependent' (adjective describing person).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'dependency' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are largely synonymous, especially for the state of relying on something. 'Dependency' is more often used for countable, concrete instances (a colonial dependency, software dependencies). 'Dependence' is often used for the general, uncountable state (a feeling of dependence). In clinical contexts (drug/alcohol), both are used interchangeably.
No. While it often implies a lack of autonomy or an unhealthy reliance, it can be neutral or descriptive. 'Mutual dependency' in a relationship or 'software dependency' in computing are neutral, factual terms.
The primary preposition is 'on' (or 'upon' in more formal contexts). The pattern is 'dependency on/upon something/someone' (e.g., dependency on oil, dependency upon his advice).
Rarely as a standalone term, as it implies a subordinate state. Positive interdependence is better described as 'interdependence' (mutual reliance) or 'support'. Healthy reliance is usually phrased as 'being dependent on' (adjective) rather than having a 'dependency' (noun).