partial
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for partial, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not complete; only affecting or including part of something.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use partial
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Late Latin partialis, "of a part," from Latin pars, "part."
Full origin of partial →Frequently asked questions
What does “partial” mean?
The word “partial” means not complete; only affecting or including part of something. In plain terms, incomplete, or (differently) unfairly favouring one side, or (in the phrase "partial to") especially fond of something.
How do you pronounce “partial”?
“Partial” is pronounced PAH-shuhl (/ˈpɑɹʃəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “partial” in a sentence?
Here is “partial” used in a sentence: “The report gives only a partial picture of what happened.”
What part of speech is “partial”?
“Partial” is an adjective.
Where does the word “partial” come from?
The word “partial” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin partialis, "of a part," from Latin pars, "part.".
Is “partial” a common word?
“Partial” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “partial” have?
“Partial” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not complete; only affecting or including part of something.
What is the difference between partial and complete?
Partial means not complete, affecting or including only part of something, such as a partial refund. Complete means whole with nothing missing, so the two are opposites in this sense.
What is the difference between partial and impartial?
In its bias sense, partial means favouring one side unfairly. Impartial is its opposite, meaning fair and not favouring any side, as an impartial judge should be.
When should you use partial instead of biased?
Use partial when describing an unfair preference for one side, often in a formal or judgemental context such as a partial referee. Biased is more general and more common in everyday speech for any leaning or prejudice.