partly
PAHT-lee
Partly (adverb) means to some extent; not completely. Example: “The delay was partly caused by bad weather.”
adverb
1
To some extent; not completely.
"The delay was partly caused by bad weather."
"She was partly to blame for the mix-up."
"They had partly finished the house, so they could move in before winter."
"The sky was partly cloudy, with a few sunny spells in the afternoon."
"The car was partly visible in the garage."
How to use partly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed to say something is true to some degree, but not the whole story.
Common pairings
partly responsible
partly true
partly because
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The delay was _____ caused by bad weather.
Etymology
From part plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Related words
Rhymes for partly
See all rhymes for partly →Frequently asked questions
What does “partly” mean?
The word “partly” means to some extent; not completely. In plain terms, used to say something is true to some degree, but not the whole story.
How do you pronounce “partly”?
“Partly” is pronounced PAHT-lee (/ˈpɑɹtli/ in IPA).
How do you use “partly” in a sentence?
Here is “partly” used in a sentence: “The delay was partly caused by bad weather.”
What part of speech is “partly”?
“Partly” is an adverb.
Is “partly” a common word?
“Partly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'partly' and 'partially'?
'Partly' and 'partially' both mean to some extent and are often interchangeable. 'Partly' tends to point to one part of a whole or one of several reasons ('partly because of the rain'), while 'partially' more often describes the degree or incompleteness of a state ('partially cooked').
What is the difference between 'partly' and 'mostly'?
'Partly' means only to some extent, implying a smaller portion is involved, whereas 'mostly' means for the greater part or almost entirely. A 'partly finished' report has a limited amount done, while a 'mostly finished' one is nearly complete.
Can you start a sentence with 'partly'?
Yes, 'partly' can begin a sentence, especially when giving one of several reasons, as in 'Partly because of the weather, the event was cancelled.' It is often balanced later by a second cause introduced with 'and partly' or 'but also.'
What words commonly follow 'partly'?
'Partly' frequently precedes 'because,' 'due to,' and past participles such as 'hidden,' 'covered,' or 'cloudy,' as in 'partly cloudy skies.' It signals that only a portion of something applies or that a cause is one of several.
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