independence

/ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəns/
freedom from control

The country declared its independence in 1947.

The country formally announced its freedom from foreign rule in 1947.


formal

The state of being free from outside control or influence; self-governance.

The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal.

The document asserts that people have the right to govern themselves without external domination.

After years of struggle, the colony won its independence from the empire.

After prolonged conflict, the colony achieved self-rule and severed ties with the ruling power.

Often used in political, historical, or social contexts to describe nations, groups, or individuals.

general

The ability to act or make decisions without being controlled by others.

Financial independence allows you to make choices based on your values, not necessity.

Having enough personal wealth means you can decide how to live without being forced by financial constraints.

Commonly used in personal development and lifestyle discussions.

technical

In psychology, the capacity to function autonomously and make decisions without excessive dependence on others.

Therapists work on building a patient's independence in daily decision-making.

Therapists aim to strengthen a patient's ability to make choices without relying heavily on others.

Refers to emotional or behavioral autonomy.

Collocations

financial independencehaving enough wealth to live without workingpolitical independencesovereignty free from foreign rulepersonal independenceability to live and make decisions without reliance on others

Related Phrases

Declaration of Independencephrase
the 1776 document where the U.S. colonies declared freedom from Britain
independent livingphrase
lifestyle emphasizing autonomy, especially for people with disabilities

Pro Tip

Avoid redundancy

Do not pair 'independence' with 'freedom' in the same sentence unless emphasizing different aspects (e.g., 'political independence and economic freedom').

Gold Rule

Capitalization in formal contexts

Capitalize 'Independence' when referring to a specific historical event (e.g., 'Independence Day').

Word Origin

From Latin *in-* (not) + *dependentia* (dependence), meaning 'not dependent.' First recorded in English in the late 16th century.

Usage Notes

Used broadly across contexts—political, personal, and social. Avoid confusing with 'independency,' which is a rare variant mainly used in legal contexts.

Word Breakdown

in-
not
prefix
+
depend
to rely on
root
+
-ence
state or quality of
suffix
English Dictionary