independent
♦♦♦ in|de|pend|ent /'ɪndɪp'endənt/ (independents)
1 [ADJ] oft ADJ of/from n
If one thing or person is independent of another, they are separate and not connected, so the first one is not affected or influenced by the second.
Your questions should be independent of each other...
Two independent studies have been carried out.
● independently [ADV] usu ADV with v, also ADV adj, oft ADV of/from n
...several people working independently in different areas of the world...
The commission will operate independently of ministers.
2 [ADJ] oft ADJ of/from n
If someone is independent, they do not need help or money from anyone else.
Phil was now much more independent of his parents...
She would like to be financially independent...
≠ dependent
● independently [ADV] ADV after v, ADV adj/-ed
We aim to help disabled students to live and study independently.
3 [ADJ] oft ADJ from/of n
Independent countries and states are not ruled by other countries but have their own government.
Papua New Guinea became independent from Australia in 1975.
4 [ADJ] ADJ n
An independent organization or other body is one that controls its own finances and operations, rather than being controlled by someone else.
...an independent television station.
5 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
An independent school does not receive money from the government or local council, but from the fees paid by its students' parents or from charities. (BRIT)
He taught chemistry at a leading independent school.
≠ state
6 [ADJ] ADJ n
An independent inquiry or opinion is one that involves people who are not connected with a particular situation, and should therefore be fair.
The government ordered an independent inquiry into the affair...
7 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
An independent politician is one who does not represent any political party.
There's been a late surge of support for an independent candidate.
[N-COUNT]
An independent is an independent politician.
1 [ADJ] oft ADJ of/from n
If one thing or person is independent of another, they are separate and not connected, so the first one is not affected or influenced by the second.
Your questions should be independent of each other...
Two independent studies have been carried out.
● independently [ADV] usu ADV with v, also ADV adj, oft ADV of/from n
...several people working independently in different areas of the world...
The commission will operate independently of ministers.
2 [ADJ] oft ADJ of/from n
If someone is independent, they do not need help or money from anyone else.
Phil was now much more independent of his parents...
She would like to be financially independent...
≠ dependent
● independently [ADV] ADV after v, ADV adj/-ed
We aim to help disabled students to live and study independently.
3 [ADJ] oft ADJ from/of n
Independent countries and states are not ruled by other countries but have their own government.
Papua New Guinea became independent from Australia in 1975.
4 [ADJ] ADJ n
An independent organization or other body is one that controls its own finances and operations, rather than being controlled by someone else.
...an independent television station.
5 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
An independent school does not receive money from the government or local council, but from the fees paid by its students' parents or from charities. (BRIT)
He taught chemistry at a leading independent school.
≠ state
6 [ADJ] ADJ n
An independent inquiry or opinion is one that involves people who are not connected with a particular situation, and should therefore be fair.
The government ordered an independent inquiry into the affair...
7 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
An independent politician is one who does not represent any political party.
There's been a late surge of support for an independent candidate.
[N-COUNT]
An independent is an independent politician.