Reading Theme:
Independent: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：self-reliant (independent)
independent
/ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/
adj.
Able to make your own decisions and live your life without needing help from others.
self-reliant
➕
/ˌself rɪˈlaɪənt/
adj.
Describes a person who manages their own life and decisions without requiring assistance or permission from others.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Latin 'in-' (not) + 'dependere' (to hang from) = not hanging from, hence not relying on.
💡 Mnemonic
Think: IN-DE-PEN-DENT. You are IN your own DENT (like a private space), making your own decisions.
📖 Example
After graduating from university, she felt ready to be independent and moved into her own apartment.
After completing her degree, she felt prepared to be self-reliant and relocated to her own flat.
🔗 Collocations
financially independent – Having enough money to support oneself without external help.
independent thinking – The ability to form one's own opinions and judgments.
live independently – To reside and manage daily life without supervision or aid.
🔄 Synonyms
self-sufficient (adj.) – Able to provide for one's own needs without outside assistance.
autonomous (adj.) – Having the freedom to govern itself or control its own affairs.
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
independence (n.) – The state of being independent.
independently (adv.) – In an independent manner.
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Late Latin 'independens'. Historically significant in political discourse, especially surrounding declarations like the U.S. Declaration of Independence (1776), cementing its association with self-governance and freedom from external control.
Meaning 2：self-governing (independent)
independent
/ˌɪndɪˈpendənt/
adj.
Not controlled by or under the authority of another country or organization.
self-governing
➕
/ˌself ˈɡʌvərnɪŋ/
adj.
Describes a country, organization, or entity that is free from external control or authority.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The research institute is independent, so its findings are not influenced by any commercial companies.
The research center is self-governing, therefore its conclusions are not affected by any corporate entities.
🔗 Collocations
independent state – A country that governs itself and is not ruled by another.
independent committee – A group formed to investigate or decide something without outside influence.
independent verification – Confirmation of facts by a separate, unbiased party.
🔄 Synonyms
sovereign (adj.) – Possessing supreme or ultimate power, especially of a state.
autonomous (adj.) – Having the right or power of self-government.
🚫 Antonyms
dependent (adj.) – Controlled or conditioned by another.
subordinate (adj.) – Lower in rank or position under the authority of another.
Wordbook
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