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   independent

   /ˌɪndɪˈpɛnd(ə)nt/

   adjective

   • 1. free from outside control; not subject to another's authority: "an independent nuclear deterrent" Similar freethinkingindividualisticunconventionalmaverickfreeliberatedboldfree-spiritedunconstrainedunrestrainedunfettereduntrammelledunhamperedundisciplinedwildwilfulheadstrongcontraryOpposite constrainedorthodox
   • ▪ (of a country) self-governing: "India became independent in 1947" Similar self-governingself-legislatingself-determiningsovereignautonomousautonomicautarkicfreenon-alignedOpposite dependentsubservient
   • ▪ not belonging to or supported by a political party: "the independent candidate"
   • ▪ (of broadcasting, a school, etc.) not supported by public funds: "an independent girls' school" Similar privatepublicnon-state-controllednon-state-runnon-publicprivate-sectorprivate-enterprisefee-payingcommercialprivatizeddenationalizedOpposite privatestate-run
   • ▪ Congregational. historical
   • 2. not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence: "I wanted to remain independent in old age" Similar self-sufficientself-supportingself-sustainingself-reliantself-standingable to stand on one's own two feetself-containedself-madeinformal:living on one's humpOpposite dependent
   • ▪ (of income or resources) making it unnecessary to earn one's living: "a woman of independent means"
   • 3. capable of thinking or acting for oneself: "advice for independent travellers"
   • ▪ not influenced by others; impartial: "a thorough and independent investigation of the case" Similar impartialunbiasedunprejudicedneutraldisinteresteduninvolveduncommitteddetacheddispassionateobjectiveopen-mindedequitablenon-partisaneven-handedfairfair-mindedjustwithout favouritismfree from discriminationnon-discriminatorywith no axe to grindwithout fear or favourinformal:on the fenceOpposite biasedtied
   • 4. not connected with another or with each other; separate: "treating each factory as an independent unit of production" Similar unconnectedunrelatedunassociateddissociatedunattachedseparateOpposite connected
   • ▪ not depending on something else for strength or effectiveness; free-standing: "an independent electric shower" Similar separatediscretedifferentdistinctfree-standingself-containedcompleteOpposite subordinate
   • ▪ (of one of a set of axioms, equations, or quantities) incapable of being expressed in terms of, or derived or deduced from, the others.

   noun

   • 1. an independent person or body: "one of the few independents left in the music business"
   • ▪ an independent political candidate: "he stood unsuccessfully as an independent in 1992"
   • ▪ a Congregationalist.

   Word Origin early 17th century (as an adjective): partly on the pattern of French indépendant.

   Scrabble Points: 15

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