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codependent

American

[koh-di-pen-duhnt] / ˌkoʊ dɪˈpɛn dənt /

adjective

of or relating to a relationship in which one person is physically or psychologically addicted, as to alcohol or gambling, and the other person is psychologically dependent on the first in an unhealthy way.

noun

one who is codependent or in a codependent relationship.

Other Word Forms

codependence noun
codependency noun

Etymology

Origin of codependent

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At the risk of sounding codependent, there may come a time in the not-so-distant future when you need help yourself.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 24, 2026

As much as their codependent friendship brings them closer, when spoken to at the same time, Roman and Dennis always differ in their answers, evincing an underlying disconnect.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2025

Today, in the real 2025, knowing that people are developing serious and codependent attachments to chatbots, the story Jonze presents in Her is much, much more loaded and pervasive.

From Slate • Apr. 11, 2025

"Objectively, the film is also a critique of a codependent relationship between a very perverse narcissist and a very vulnerable, echo personality," Szaniawski said of the dynamic between Jack and Wendy.

From Salon • Oct. 7, 2024

Maybe I'm codependent and I've replaced my mother with Ron.

From "Ask the Passengers" by A.S. King

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023