Added 3 October 2026
depend
/dɪˈpɛnd/ verb
In Latin: nītor Wiktionary
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about depend at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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To be contingent or conditioned; to have something as a necessary condition .mw-parser-output .object-usage-tag{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output .deprecated{color:var(--wikt-palette-grey-lime-8,olivedrab)}[with on or upon; or with of]
We would like to go skiing, but it depends on the amount of snow.
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To trust; to have confidence; to rely. [with on or upon ]
we should all be able to depend on the word or assurance of our friends
- To hang down; to be sustained by being fastened or attached to something above, especially in heraldry, where a badge, decoration, or element is suspended from another part of an achievement of arms.
Origin
Inherited from Middle English dependen, from Old French dependre, from Latin dependeō, from dē- + pendeō (“to be suspended, hang”). In this sense, displaced native Old English hangian (“to hang or depend”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)