interdependence
C1Formal, academic, professional
Definition
Meaning
The state of being mutually reliant on each other.
A situation or system in which two or more people, organizations, or countries depend on each other for success, survival, or proper functioning. This relationship implies that the well-being of each entity is tied to the actions and condition of the others.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Suggests a two-way or multi-directional dependency, stronger and more systemic than simple 'dependence'. Often implies a positive, necessary, or desirable state of mutual support.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or usage differences. The concept is used identically. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Slightly more prevalent in UK/EU political discourse regarding economic and environmental policy ('European interdependence'). In US discourse, frequently used in business, ecology, and international relations contexts.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties within academic, political, and business registers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
interdependence between X and Yinterdependence of X on Yinterdependence among X, Y, and Za state of interdependenceVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A web of interdependence”
- “Tied together in interdependence”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the interconnected nature of global supply chains and financial markets, e.g., 'The interdependence of our departments requires better communication.'
Academic
Central concept in sociology (social interdependence), ecology (ecosystem interdependence), economics (trade), and political science (international relations theory).
Everyday
Used to describe close-knit relationships or communities, e.g., 'The team's success showed their interdependence.'
Technical
In systems theory, describes components of a system whose functions are interlinked; in ecology, describes species interactions.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The nations are increasingly interdependent.
- Our economies have interdependently grown over decades.
American English
- The systems interdepend for their operation.
- We interdepend more than we realize.
adverb
British English
- The sectors function interdependently.
- They worked interdependently to solve the crisis.
American English
- The components operate interdependently.
- We must learn to live more interdependently.
adjective
British English
- We live in an interdependent world.
- Their relationship is highly interdependent.
American English
- The interdependent nature of the markets became clear.
- They formed an interdependent unit.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teamwork lesson taught us about interdependence.
- Families show interdependence by helping each other.
- Global trade has created economic interdependence between many countries.
- The report highlighted the ecological interdependence of species in the forest.
- The theory of complex interdependence challenges the realist view of international relations.
- Modern supply chains exemplify a profound level of global interdependence, where a disruption in one region cascades through the entire system.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think INTER (between) + DEPENDENCE (reliance) = reliance BETWEEN parties.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NETWORK or WEB (entities connected in a complex structure), a CHAIN (linked elements), or an ECOSYSTEM (a balanced, living system of mutual support).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'взаимозависимость' when a simpler 'зависимость' (dependence) is meant. 'Interdependence' implies mutuality.
- Do not confuse with 'interdependency' (less common but identical in meaning).
- Beware of false friends: Russian 'интердепендентность' is not a standard word.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'interdependance' (incorrect).
- Using it to describe a one-sided relationship (e.g., 'child's interdependence on parent' is usually just 'dependence').
- Overusing in informal contexts where 'rely on each other' would suffice.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence best illustrates 'interdependence'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Dependence' is often one-sided (A depends on B), while 'interdependence' is mutual (A and B depend on each other).
Yes, 'interdependency' is a less common variant with the same meaning as 'interdependence'. 'Interdependence' is the standard, more frequent form.
Typically, it is neutral or positive, describing a necessary or beneficial connection. In some psychological contexts, 'co-dependence' is used for unhealthy mutual dependency.
It is key in International Relations (e.g., Keohane & Nye's theory), Ecology, Sociology, Economics, and Systems Theory.
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