dependency
gb/dɪpˈɛndənsi/ us/dɪpˈɛndənsi/
B2
English
~ 6700
függés, függőség, ráutaltság, addikció, dependencia, csomagfüggőség, függő terület, melléképület
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s dependency on [something/someone]
Their growing dependency on imported energy has become a major political issue.
Az importált energiától való növekvő függőségük jelentős politikai kérdéssé vált.
The organization wants to reduce people’s dependency on food aid by creating local jobs.
A szervezet helyi munkahelyek létrehozásával szeretné csökkenteni az emberek élelmiszersegélyre való ráutaltságát.
Emotional dependency on a partner can make it hard to leave an unhealthy relationship.
The region’s economy shows a dangerous dependency on tourism.
Early childhood experiences can shape a person’s later patterns of attachment and dependency.
Learner examples
He has a strong dependency on his parents for money.
Anyagilag erősen függ a szüleitől.
The small town has a dependency on one big factory.
A kisváros nagymértékben függ egyetlen nagy gyártól.
We want to cut our dependency on cars.
Her dependency on her phone makes it hard for her to focus.
The country is trying to lower its dependency on oil.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "dependency" and "dependence". In most general uses, both are correct, but "dependence" is slightly more common. "Dependency" is especially frequent when followed by "on" (e.g., "dependency on foreign oil"). Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition, such as *"dependency of"* instead of the natural *"dependency on"*.
Meaning
state of needing support
Collocations
dependency on
|financial dependency
|emotional dependency
|economic dependency
|create dependency
|reduce dependency
Synonyms
dependence (Very close in meaning; slightly more common overall and a bit more general, while "dependency" often suggests an unhealthy or one-sided need or is used in specific technical terms.)
|
reliance (Emphasizes trusting or counting on something or someone, without always implying loss of independence.)
Antonyms
independence (Describes being able to act or live without needing support from others, which is the opposite of dependency.)
Themes
relationships
|economics
|psychology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A state where a person, group, or thing needs someone or something else in order to live, work, or do well, and cannot easily do it alone.
The state of needing someone or something in order to live, function, or succeed, especially in a way that reduces independence.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
dependency on [a substance/behavior]
He entered a program to address his long-term alcohol dependency.
Beiratkozott egy programba, hogy kezelje régóta fennálló alkoholfüggőségét.
Some painkillers can quickly lead to dependency if they are not used carefully.
Egyes fájdalomcsillapítók gyorsan függőséget okozhatnak, ha nem használják őket körültekintően.
The clinic specializes in treating chemical dependency in teenagers.
After months of use, she developed a dependency on sleeping pills.
Therapists warned that online gaming dependency was affecting his school work.
Learner examples
The doctor talked to him about his drug dependency.
Az orvos beszélt vele a drogfüggőségéről.
She is getting help for her alcohol dependency.
Segítséget kap az alkoholfüggősége miatt.
Strong pain medicine can cause dependency.
The center offers support for people with internet dependency.
They want to stop their dependency on sleeping pills.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "dependency" to mean a simple habit, when it usually implies a serious medical or psychological problem. For weaker habits, "habit" or "tendency" is more natural. Also, remember to use the preposition "on" (e.g., "dependency on alcohol"), not *"dependency of alcohol"*.
Meaning
addiction to a substance or behavior
Collocations
drug dependency
|alcohol dependency
|chemical dependency
|develop a dependency
|treat dependency
|dependency treatment
Synonyms
addiction (The most common everyday word; "dependency" is often used in medical or formal contexts and can sound slightly more clinical.)
Antonyms
sobriety (Refers to living without alcohol or drugs, which is the opposite condition of alcohol or drug dependency.)
Themes
health
|psychology
Definition
A problem where someone cannot stop using a drug, alcohol, or a behavior because their body or mind now needs it.
A condition in which a person’s body or mind has adapted to a drug, alcohol, or behavior and cannot easily stop using it without negative effects.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
függőség
B2
Usage pattern:
[a program] has a dependency on [a library/tool]
The project has a dependency on an outdated logging library.
A projekt egyik függősége egy elavult naplózó programkönyvtár.
Before you run the application, you need to install all its dependencies.
Az alkalmazás futtatása előtt telepíteni kell az összes függőségét.
Reducing external dependencies can make the system more stable and secure.
The build failed because one dependency was missing.
We track every third-party dependency in a separate file.
Learner examples
This app has many software dependencies.
Ennek az alkalmazásnak sok szoftveres függősége van.
You must install the dependencies before running the script.
A szkript futtatása előtt telepítened kell a függőségeket.
We try to keep our code’s dependencies small.
The game crashed because a dependency was not found.
They removed one big dependency to make the program lighter.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "dependency" here means a person who depends on someone. In technical contexts, it almost always means a required component (like a library or service). Another mistake is using a plural verb with "dependencies" but then talking about only one item; be careful to match singular/plural correctly.
Meaning
required component in computing
Collocations
software dependency
|external dependency
|library dependency
|manage dependencies
|install dependencies
|remove dependencies
Synonyms
requirement (A general word for something needed; "dependency" is more specific in technical fields, especially software development.)
Antonyms
standalone (Describes software or systems that do not need extra components, which is the opposite of having many dependencies.)
Themes
technology
|science
Definition
In software or technical work, something (like a library or tool) that a program or project must have so it can work.
In computing and engineering, a component, library, or external resource that another system, program, or project needs in order to build or run.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
4
dependencia
C1
Usage pattern:
a dependency of [a country]
The island is an overseas dependency of the United Kingdom.
A sziget az Egyesült Királyság tengerentúli függő területe.
During the colonial period, many regions functioned as economic dependencies of European powers.
A gyarmati időszakban sok térség az európai hatalmak gazdaságilag függő területeként működött.
Residents of the dependency do not have full voting rights in national elections.
The government is reviewing its relationship with its remaining overseas dependencies.
Some argue that the status of the territory as a dependency limits its economic options.
Learner examples
The small island is a dependency of a larger country.
A kis sziget egy nagyobb ország függő területe.
People in the dependency cannot vote in national elections.
A függő terület lakói nem szavazhatnak az országos választásokon.
The country has several overseas dependencies.
The history of the dependency is tied to its colonial past.
They are debating if the dependency should become independent.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this political meaning with the general sense of needing support. In this sense, "dependency" is almost always used with places and often followed by "of" or used with adjectives like "overseas" or a country name (e.g., "a British dependency").
Meaning
territory controlled by another state
Collocations
overseas dependency
|colonial dependency
|a dependency of
|small island dependency
|British dependency
Synonyms
territory (More general; "dependency" stresses the lack of full independence and control by another state.)
Antonyms
sovereign state (A fully independent country that governs itself, which is the opposite of a dependency.)
Themes
politics
|geography
|history
|law
Definition
A place or region that is ruled by another country and does not have complete political freedom.
A territory that is politically and administratively controlled by a more powerful country and does not have full independence.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
5
melléképület
B2
Usage pattern:
the house and its dependencies
The estate included the manor, several dependencies, and extensive gardens.
A birtokhoz egy udvarház, több melléképület és nagy kiterjedésű kertek tartoztak.
Servants lived in the dependencies surrounding the main house.
A szolgák a főépületet körülvevő melléképületekben laktak.
Over time, many of the old dependencies were converted into guest cottages.
The fire started in one of the farm’s dependencies and spread to the barn.
Architects restored the castle’s dependencies to match their original style.
Learner examples
The old house has many small dependencies around it.
A régi ház körül sok kis melléképület áll.
Workers slept in the dependencies near the big house.
A munkások a nagy ház közelében lévő melléképületekben aludtak.
They turned one dependency into a small guest room.
The farm’s dependencies are used to store tools.
The castle and its dependencies are open to visitors.
Common mistake:
Because this sense is rare, learners may wrongly apply the common meaning of "dependency" (needing support) to architectural contexts. In descriptions of estates or old houses, "dependencies" usually means extra buildings, not emotional or financial need.
Meaning
secondary building belonging to a main house
Collocations
house and dependencies
|castle and its dependencies
|farm and dependencies
Synonyms
outbuilding (A common modern term for a smaller building near a main one; "dependency" is rare and sounds old-fashioned or literary.)
Antonyms
main house (Refers to the principal building, in contrast to the smaller supporting buildings called dependencies.)
Themes
architecture
|history
|housing
Definition
A small building, like a stable or store room, that is part of a big house or estate and used to support it.
A smaller building or group of buildings that belongs to and is used with a larger main house or estate, such as stables or servants’ quarters.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dependency
IPA
GB/dɪpˈɛndənsi/
US/dɪpˈɛndənsi/
Syllables & stress
de - pend - ency (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pend)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: dependency
- Plural: dependencies
Word family
Forms
dependencies
noun
Core family
Related words
dependably
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
interdependent
adjective
interdependence
noun
Expressions
alcohol dependency
1/ˈælkəhˌɑl dɪpˈɛndənsi/
fixed phrase
addiction to alcohol
A problem where a person cannot control how much alcohol they drink and feels they must drink.
Examples
- Her father struggled with alcohol dependency for many years.
- The program offers counseling for people with alcohol dependency.
- Alcohol dependency can have serious effects on family life.
chemical dependency
1/kˈɛmɪkəl dɪpˈɛndənsi/
fixed phrase
addiction to drugs or chemicals
A medical or psychological problem where a person cannot stop using drugs or other chemical substances.
Examples
- The clinic specializes in treating chemical dependency.
- Chemical dependency can develop even when drugs are first used for medical reasons.
- Support groups play a key role in recovery from chemical dependency.
dependency injection
1/dɪpˈɛndənsi ɪnd͡ʒˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
programming pattern for providing dependencies
In programming, a way to give an object the things it needs (like services or tools) from outside, instead of the object creating them itself.
Examples
- The framework uses dependency injection to manage services.
- Dependency injection makes the code easier to test.
- They refactored the module to use dependency injection instead of hard-coded objects.
dependency on
1/dɪpˈɛndənsi ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
state of relying on something
Used to say that a person, group, or thing needs something or someone in order to live, work, or do well.
Examples
- Their heavy dependency on tourism makes the economy fragile.
- We must reduce our dependency on fossil fuels.
- Her strong dependency on others affected her confidence.
drug dependency
1/dɹˈʌɡ dɪpˈɛndənsi/
fixed phrase
addiction to drugs
A serious problem where someone cannot stop using drugs and feels they must take them.
Examples
- He sought help for his long-term drug dependency.
- Drug dependency can damage both health and relationships.
- Early treatment can prevent drug dependency from getting worse.
external dependency
1/ɪkstˈɚnəl dɪpˈɛndənsi/
fixed phrase
technical
outside component a system needs
Something outside a system, like another service or library, that the system needs in order to work.
Examples
- We try to minimize any external dependency for critical systems.
- The website’s external dependency on a third-party API caused downtime.
- Each external dependency must be documented and monitored.
path dependency
1/pˈæθ dɪpˈɛndənsi/
fixed phrase
technical
effect of past choices on present options
An idea in economics and social science that says what happened in the past strongly controls what is possible now.
Examples
- The country’s energy system shows strong path dependency due to earlier investments in coal.
- Path dependency helps explain why some technologies survive even when better ones appear.
- Institutional reforms are hard because of political path dependency.
software dependency
1/sˈɔftwˌɛɹ dɪpˈɛndənsi/
fixed phrase
technical
required software component
A piece of software that another program must have so that it can run or build correctly.
Examples
- This library is a key software dependency for our application.
- You should list every software dependency in the project file.
- Outdated software dependencies can create security risks.