independent

The definition of independent is someone or something that is free from the influence or control of another.

(adjective)

An example of independent is someone who lives on their own and supports themself.

See independent in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

free from the influence, control, or determination of another or others; specif.,
1. free from the rule of another; controlling or governing oneself; self-governing
2. free from influence, persuasion, or bias; objective: an independent observer
3. relying only on oneself or one's own abilities, judgment, etc.; self-confident; self-reliant: independent in his thinking
4. not adhering to any political party or organization: an independent voter
5. not connected or related to another, to each other, or to a group; separate: an independent grocer
1. not depending on another or others, esp. for financial support
2. large enough to enable one to live without working: said of an income, a fortune, etc.
3. having an independent income; not needing to work for a living
of or having to do with Independents

Origin: ML independens: see in- & dependent

noun

a person who is independent in thinking, action, etc.
☆ a voter who is not an adherent of or committed to any political party
a member of a religious and political movement of the 17th cent. in England that advocated self-sufficiency of each local Christian church: the movement led to the organization of Congregationalists and Baptists

Related Forms:

See independent in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Not governed by a foreign power; self-governing.
Free from the influence, guidance, or control of another or others; self-reliant: an independent mind.
Not determined or influenced by someone or something else; not contingent: a decision independent of the outcome of the study.
often Independent Affiliated with or loyal to no one political party or organization.
Not dependent on or affiliated with a larger or controlling entity: an independent food store; an independent film.
a. Not relying on others for support, care, or funds; self-supporting.
b. Providing or being sufficient income to enable one to live without working: a person of independent means.
Mathematics
a. Not dependent on other variables.
b. Of or relating to a system of equations no one of which can be derived from another equation in the system.
Independent Of or relating to the 17th-century English Independents.

noun

often Independent One that is independent, especially a voter, officeholder, or political candidate who is not committed to a political party.
Independent A member of a movement in England in the 17th century advocating the political and religious independence of individual congregations.
Independent Chiefly British A Congregationalist.

Related Forms:

Learn more about independent

independent synonyms

independent phrase meanings

independent in a sentence

independent quotes

link/cite print suggestion box

More from YD