dependency
dependency — noun
1. a condition where a person, group, or thing needs another for support, money, ca
a condition where a person, group, or thing needs another for support, money, care, or resources and is unable to function normally without that help
After losing his job, Ayana's dependency on her savings became a daily struggle.
dependency on [something] after a change in circumstances
The small island's heavy dependency on imported food worried local officials.
heavy dependency on [something] — adjective intensifier
Wei tried to reduce his dependency on public transport by cycling to work.
A young child's complete dependency on its parents is natural and necessary.
Walid felt frustrated by his financial dependency on his older brother.
- dependence
nearly identical in meaning, though dependence is slightly more neutral and can describe a simple causal link without the connotation of helplessness
- reliance
more neutral and can describe healthy, everyday needs (e.g. reliance on public transport); less intense than dependency
- need
broader word that can describe anything necessary for survival, comfort, or success; does not specify a relationship between two parties
- independence
the state of not needing outside support or control
文法句型
dependency + on/upon + noun
用法筆記
Typically followed by on or upon. Common in contexts describing financial, emotional, or operational reliance. The uncountable form is the default for abstract reliance; a dependency (countable) is almost never used for this sense.
常見錯誤
2. a physical or mental condition in which someone cannot stop using a harmful subs
a physical or mental condition in which someone cannot stop using a harmful substance or engaging in a harmful activity, even though it damages their health or life
Putri entered a treatment centre to overcome her dependency on alcohol.
overcome + dependency on + substance
The doctor warned Andrés about the risk of dependency from long-term sleep medication.
risk of dependency from [medication type]
Opioid dependency has become a public health crisis in many communities worldwide.
Recovery from drug dependency often requires years of support from family and doctors.
Nia developed a physical dependency on painkillers after just three weeks of use.
- addiction
more common in everyday language; covers both physical and psychological compulsion, while dependency tends to highlight the physical component
- habit
weaker and less clinical; a habit can be broken more easily and does not necessarily involve physical withdrawal
- substance abuse
focuses on the harmful use pattern rather than the state of reliance itself
- sobriety
the state of being free from substance use
- abstinence
the practice of choosing not to use a substance at all
文法句型
dependency + on/upon + substance
用法筆記
Often modified by an adjective specifying the substance (drug, alcohol, opioid, nicotine). Can be used interchangeably with addiction in medical contexts, though dependency places more emphasis on the physical condition of reliance, while addiction also covers the behavioural and psychological compulsion.
常見錯誤
3. a country or territory that is politically controlled and administered by a more
a country or territory that is politically controlled and administered by a more powerful foreign country, often without full rights of self-government
The small island remained a British dependency until it gained full independence in 1978.
remained a [country] dependency — historical context
Ritu studied how former colonial dependencies built their own legal systems after independence.
former + colonial + dependency — academic register
The Channel Islands are Crown dependencies with their own parliaments and tax systems.
Historians disagree about whether this dependency benefited from the ruling power's investment.
The former French dependency now manages its own trade agreements and issues its own currency.
- colony
more common and broader; colony can describe any settled territory under foreign control, while dependency often implies a formally subordinate political status
- territory
more neutral; a territory may have more autonomy than a dependency and is not necessarily controlled from overseas
- protectorate
a specific historical status where a powerful state guarantees protection over a weaker state while controlling its foreign affairs
- sovereign state
a fully independent country with self-government and international recognition
文法句型
a/an + dependency
former + dependency
用法筆記
Countable noun — a dependency, two dependencies. Modern usage typically refers to historical colonial possessions or current semi-autonomous territories such as the British Crown Dependencies. Distinguish from sense 1: this is a geographical/political entity, not an abstract state of need.