reliant
adj. B2 Upper Intermediate US //ɹiˈɫaɪənt// UK //ɹɪlˈaɪənt// re·liant
adj. needing someone or something else to help you or to work correctly. You use this when you cannot succeed or survive alone.
adj. needing a particular person or thing for support, survival, or successful operation. Often used predicatively after a linking verb.
The company is very reliant on its main investor.
Many small businesses became heavily reliant on government grants during the economic downturn.
The region's economy remains dangerously reliant on a single export, making it vulnerable to sudden shifts in global market prices and trade policies.
From rely + -ant.
Usage
Typically takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon'.
Pitfall
reliant ofreliant onLearners often use 'of' by analogy with 'independent of', but 'reliant' always requires 'on' or 'upon'.