Dependant and dependent

The difference between dependent and dependant

The children are dependants who are dependent on their parents for care.

British, Australian and New Zealand English distinguish between dependant and dependent. The distinction doesn’t exist in US English, which uses dependent for both the following meanings.

dependant

A dependant is someone who relies on someone else for support. This support is often financial.

The child is a dependant.

dependent

Dependent means relying on.

The outcome is dependent on the test results.

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