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| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Language: | French |
| Origin: | dépendre, from Latin pendere 'to hang' |
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de‧pend S1 W2
it/that depends
spoken
'How long are you staying?' 'I don't know; it depends.' it depends who/what/how/whether etc You may take several months to reach your target weight - it depends how much you want to lose.
You may take several months to reach your target weight - it depends how much you want to lose.depend on/upon somebody/something
phrasal verb1 if something depends on something else, it is directly affected or decided by that thing : The length of time spent exercising depends on the sport you are training for.
The length of time spent exercising depends on the sport you are training for. depending on something The expenses you claim can vary enormously, depending on travel distances involved.
The expenses you claim can vary enormously, depending on travel distances involved.2 to need the support, help, or existence of someone or something in order to exist, be healthy, be successful etc [= rely on]: We depend entirely on donations from the public.
We depend entirely on donations from the public. depend on somebody/something for something Many women have to depend on their husbands for their state pension.
Many women have to depend on their husbands for their state pension.3 to trust or have confidence in someone or something : You can depend on Jane - she always keeps her promises.
You can depend on Jane - she always keeps her promises.! Do not say that one thing 'is depend on' another. Say one thing is dependent on another.
