depend

[dih-pend]

verb (used without object)

1. to rely; place trust (usually followed by on orupon ).

   You may depend on the accuracy of the report.

2. to rely for support, maintenance, help, etc. (usually followed by on orupon ).

   Children depend on their parents.

3. to be conditioned or contingent (usually followed by on orupon ).

   His success here depends upon effort and ability.

4. to be undetermined or pending.

   I may go to Europe or I may not, it all depends.

5. Grammar.,  (of a word or other linguistic form) to be subordinate to another linguistic form in the same construction; to form a part of a construction other than the head.

6. to hang down; be suspended (usually followed byfrom ).

   The chandelier depends from the ceiling of the ballroom.

depend

/ dɪˈpɛnd /

verb

1. to put trust (in); rely (on); be sure (of)

2. to be influenced or determined (by); be resultant (from)

   whether you come or not depends on what father says

   it all depends on you

3. to rely (on) for income, support, etc

4. rare,  (foll by from) to hang down; be suspended

5. to be undecided or pending

Other Word Forms

• interdepend verb (used without object)
• redepend verb (used without object)
• self-depending adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of depend¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English dependen, from Old French dependre, from Latin dēpendere “to hang down,” from dē- de- + pendere “to hang”

Word History and Origins

Origin of depend¹

C15: from Old French dependre, from Latin dēpendēre to hang from, from _de- + pendēre to hang

Example Sentences

Any savings would depend on how much of a deterrent it would be in discouraging asylum seekers from coming to the UK.

From BBC

Musk would not get a salary or bonus under the plan, which depends on Tesla's value soaring more than eightfold alongside other moonshot goals.

From BBC

The answer varies depending on who you speak to.

From BBC

How fast the Rockies rebuild will depend in part on the depth of their farm system and how they use it.

From Los Angeles Times

But whether there will be more strikes will now depend on how hard the RMT wants to pursue the issue of a 32-hour week and if its members want more strikes.

From BBC

Related Words

• hinge on 
• rest on www.thesaurus.com
• revolve around www.thesaurus.com