independence

independence — noun

1. the condition of a country or region ruling itself without being controlled by a

1.nounB2
Definition

the condition of a country or region ruling itself without being controlled by another nation

Example

India gained its independence from British colonial rule in nineteen forty-seven.

collocation: gain independence from [country]

The small island nation declared independence after a peaceful referendum watched by the world.

collocation: declare independence

Common collocations
  • declare independence
  • gain independence
  • win independence
  • fight for independence
  • grant independence
  • political independence
  • national independence
  • struggle for independence
  • independence movement
  • Independence Day
Synonyms
  • sovereignty

    more formal and legalistic; emphasises supreme authority over a territory rather than the process of becoming free

  • self-government

    focuses on the internal ability to rule oneself; often used for regions within a larger state

  • autonomy

    implies self-rule within a larger framework rather than full separation

Antonyms
  • colonial rule

    the opposite condition of being governed by a foreign power

  • subjugation

    formal term for being forced under another's control

Grammar Patterns

independence + from + [country/governing body]

Usage Note

Frequently paired with a country or region name before the noun (e.g. 'India's independence', 'African independence'). Often capitalised in names of national holidays: Independence Day.

Common Mistakes

Taiwan independence in 1949
Taiwan has never declared independence.
'independence' is an uncountable noun; it is not used with 'a' and does not take a year as a direct object.
The country made independence from Britain.
The country gained independence from Britain.
the natural verb partner is 'gain', 'win', 'declare', or 'achieve', not 'make'.

2. the capacity to choose for yourself and manage your own life without having to d

2.nounB1
Definition

the capacity to choose for yourself and manage your own life without having to depend on others for money, care, or advice

Example

Caleb values his financial independence and refuses to borrow money from anyone.

collocation: financial independence

Shirin moved out of her parents' house at eighteen to gain more independence.

collocation: gain independence

Common collocations
  • financial independence
  • personal independence
  • economic independence
  • emotional independence
  • gain independence
  • lose independence
  • regain independence
  • sense of independence
  • independence from parents
Synonyms
  • self-reliance

    emphasises practical ability to handle things alone rather than the state of being free

  • self-sufficiency

    stronger than independence; suggests you need no outside help at all, especially for basic needs

  • autonomy

    formal; emphasises the right to make your own decisions rather than practical self-care

Antonyms
  • dependence

    the state of needing others for support, money, or decisions

Grammar Patterns

independence + from + [person/institution]

possessive + independence

Usage Note

Often modified by an adjective specifying the type of independence: financial, emotional, personal, economic. Common in contexts of growing up, disability recovery, and leaving home.

Common Mistakes

She needs independence to her parents.
She needs independence from her parents.
the correct preposition is 'from', not 'to'.
I want an independence.
I want independence.
as an uncountable noun, 'independence' does not take the article 'a/an'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Independence and the other terms all describe some form of liberty, but they differ in scope and context. Independence specifically refers to a nation, region, or person not being controlled by another, with a strong emphasis on self-rule. Autonomy implies self-governing power within a larger framework — a region may have autonomy while still belonging to a federal state, whereas independence suggests full separation. Sovereignty is the most formal and legal term, describing the supreme authority of a state over its territory; a country can be sovereign but still heavily influenced by other powers, making sovereignty a narrower concept. Freedom is the broadest of the four, covering any absence of restraint — political, personal, or physical — and does not necessarily imply self-governance. For example, a country may celebrate its political independence while its citizens enjoy freedom of speech, illustrating how the terms overlap yet remain distinct in focus.

independence ↗autonomy ↗sovereignty ↗freedom ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • declaration of independence
  • fight for independence
  • struggle for independence
  • sense of independence
  • independence from [country/person]

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Independence comes from the Latin in- ('not') combined with dependere ('to hang from'): literally 'not hanging from' something else. The word entered English through French indépendance in the early 1600s, initially referring to personal self-reliance before extending to national political freedom during the 18th century.