1in·de·pen·dent 
/ˌɪndəˈpɛndənt/ adjective
/ˌɪndəˈpɛndənt/ adjective 1 : not dependent: such as a : not controlled or ruled by another country
▪ The country recently became independent. ▪ an independent nation
b : not controlled by other people
▪ They have a good deal of independent authority. ▪ an independent investigator [=a person who is not directly involved in a situation or dispute and who is free to investigate problems and make judgments about what should be done]
c : not requiring or relying on other people for help or support
▪ She has an independent income. ▪ She is a woman of independent means. [=she has enough money to support herself without help from others]
d : not associated with or owned by a larger business
▪ an independent record label ▪ an independent film studio ▪ an independent bookstore ▪ They hired an independent contractor [=a person hired to do work who controls how the work is done] to fix the roof. ; also : produced by an independent company
▪ an independent film 2 : separate from and not connected to other people, things, etc.
▪ Another laboratory has provided independent confirmation of the test results. ▪ She is doing an independent study in Art History this semester. [=a course of study done by a student without an instructor or with help from an instructor but not as part of an organized class] ▪ This car has four-wheel independent suspension. [=each of the four wheels has its own set of supports for the body of the car] — often + of ▪ The women enjoyed rights independent of their husbands. ▪ The speed of the particle is independent of its wavelength. [=is not connected/related to its wavelength] 3 [more independent; most independent] : acting or thinking freely instead of being guided by other people
▪ She is a very independent person. ▪ She has an independent mind/spirit. ▪ She's an independent thinker. ▪ They lead an independent life. 4 politics : not belonging to a political party
▪ independent voters ▪ an independent candidate
▪ The country recently became independent. ▪ an independent nation
b : not controlled by other people
▪ They have a good deal of independent authority. ▪ an independent investigator [=a person who is not directly involved in a situation or dispute and who is free to investigate problems and make judgments about what should be done]
c : not requiring or relying on other people for help or support
▪ She has an independent income. ▪ She is a woman of independent means. [=she has enough money to support herself without help from others]
d : not associated with or owned by a larger business
▪ an independent record label ▪ an independent film studio ▪ an independent bookstore ▪ They hired an independent contractor [=a person hired to do work who controls how the work is done] to fix the roof. ; also : produced by an independent company
▪ an independent film
▪ Another laboratory has provided independent confirmation of the test results. ▪ She is doing an independent study in Art History this semester. [=a course of study done by a student without an instructor or with help from an instructor but not as part of an organized class] ▪ This car has four-wheel independent suspension. [=each of the four wheels has its own set of supports for the body of the car] — often + of ▪ The women enjoyed rights independent of their husbands. ▪ The speed of the particle is independent of its wavelength. [=is not connected/related to its wavelength]
▪ She is a very independent person. ▪ She has an independent mind/spirit. ▪ She's an independent thinker. ▪ They lead an independent life.
▪ independent voters ▪ an independent candidate
— in·de·pen·dent·ly adverb
▪ They were working independently from/of one another. ▪ Every store is independently owned and operated. ▪ She's independently wealthy. ▪ He continues to live independently despite his injuries.
▪ They were working independently from/of one another. ▪ Every store is independently owned and operated. ▪ She's independently wealthy. ▪ He continues to live independently despite his injuries.
