dependent

Universal Words adjective, noun adjective 1 ~ (on / upon sb/sth) (for sth) needing sb/sth in order to survive or be successful: a woman with several dependent children * You can't be dependent on your parents all your life. * The festival is heavily dependent on sponsorship for its success. 2 ~ on / upon sth ADDICTED to sth (= unable to stop taking or using it): to be dependent on drugs / alcohol 3 ~ on / upon sth (formal) affected or decided by sth: A child's development is dependent on many factors. * The price is dependent on how many extras you choose. noun (especially AmE) = DEPENDANT