apart
uh-PAHT
Apart (adv) means Separated by distance or time. Example: “The two houses stand about a mile apart on the hill.”
adv
1
Separated by distance or time.
"The two houses stand about a mile apart on the hill."
"The two towns are twenty miles apart."
"We've been living apart for six months."
2
Into separate pieces or parts.
"The old book fell apart in my hands."
"She pulled the loaf apart and shared it with her friend."
"He took the engine apart to find the fault."
adj
1
Clearly different or distinguished from others.
"Her calm voice made her stand apart from the noisy crowd."
"The twins looked alike, yet their characters were worlds apart."
"Her attention to detail sets her apart from other candidates."
How to use apart
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes things being separated in space, time, or pieces.
Common pairings
fall apart
set apart
apart from
take apart
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more apart, further apart, farther apart
- Superlative
- most apart, furthest apart, farthest apart
Fill the gap
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The two houses stand about a mile _____ on the hill.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman a part, from Latin ad partem, literally "to the side."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “apart” mean?
The word “apart” means separated by distance or time. In plain terms, describes things being separated in space, time, or pieces.
How do you pronounce “apart”?
“Apart” is pronounced uh-PAHT (/əˈpɑɹt/ in IPA).
How do you use “apart” in a sentence?
Here is “apart” used in a sentence: “The two towns are twenty miles apart.”
What is the opposite of “apart”?
The opposite of “apart” — its antonyms — is together.
What part of speech is “apart”?
Depending on how it is used, “apart” can be an adverb and an adjective.
Where does the word “apart” come from?
The word “apart” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman a part, from Latin ad partem, literally "to the side.".
Is “apart” a common word?
“Apart” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “apart” have?
“Apart” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: separated by distance or time.
What is the difference between 'apart' and 'a part'?
This is a common mix-up. 'Apart' is one word meaning separated or at a distance ('they drifted apart'). 'A part' is two words meaning a piece or portion of something ('a part of the plan'). They almost sound alike but mean opposite things — separation versus belonging.
What does 'apart from' mean?
'Apart from' has two related meanings. It can mean 'except for,' as in 'Apart from one error, it was perfect.' It can also mean 'in addition to,' as in 'Apart from football, he plays tennis.' The intended sense is usually clear from the surrounding context.
What is the opposite of apart?
The natural opposite is 'together.' Where 'apart' stresses distance or separation, 'together' stresses closeness or unity. Other opposites include 'joined,' 'united,' and 'attached,' depending on whether you mean physical distance or a broken connection between people or things.
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