partner
PAHT-nuh
Partner (noun) means a spouse or other person with whom someone shares a romantic or domestic relationship. Example: “He booked a table at the restaurant to celebrate with his partner.”
noun
1
A spouse or other person with whom someone shares a romantic or domestic relationship.
"He booked a table at the restaurant to celebrate with his partner."
"She introduced her partner to the rest of the family."
"They've been business partners for over a decade, but also life partners."
2
A person who shares ownership or responsibility in a business, firm, or activity.
"As a junior partner, she shares in the firm's decisions and its risks."
"He made partner at the law firm after eight years."
"The two partners split the company's profits evenly."
3
Someone paired with another for a game, dance, or task.
"My partner and I won the quiz because she knew all the geography answers."
"Find a partner and practise the new dance steps."
"My tennis partner was late for the doubles match."
verb
1
To join with someone as a partner, or pair someone with another for an activity.
"The library has partnered with local schools to run a weekend reading club."
"The startup partnered with a larger company to expand overseas."
"Students were partnered up for the science project."
How to use partner
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone you team up with — in a relationship, a business, or an activity.
Common mistake
"Partner" now commonly replaces "boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse" in neutral, modern usage, regardless of gender or marital status.
Common pairings
business partner
life partner
partner with someone
silent partner
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Word forms
- Plural
- partners
- Third person singular
- partners
- Past tense
- partnered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He booked a table at the restaurant to celebrate with his _____.
Etymology
From Middle English partener, altered (under the influence of "part") from an earlier form parcener, ultimately traced back to Latin partitio, "a dividing into parts."
Synonyms
View more →
spouse
significant other
companion
better half
other half
mate
collaborator
pardner
cooperator
married person
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “partner” mean?
The word “partner” means a spouse or other person with whom someone shares a romantic or domestic relationship. In plain terms, someone you team up with — in a relationship, a business, or an activity.
How do you pronounce “partner”?
“Partner” is pronounced PAHT-nuh (/ˈpɑɹt.nɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “partner” in a sentence?
Here is “partner” used in a sentence: “She introduced her partner to the rest of the family.”
What part of speech is “partner”?
Depending on how it is used, “partner” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “partner” come from?
The word “partner” comes from Latin. From Middle English partener, altered (under the influence of "part") from an earlier form parcener, ultimately traced back to Latin partitio, "a dividing into parts.".
Is “partner” a common word?
“Partner” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “partner” have?
“Partner” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a spouse or other person with whom someone shares a romantic or domestic relationship.
What is the difference between a partner and a spouse?
A spouse is specifically a husband or wife, someone you are legally married to. A partner is broader: it covers a husband or wife but also an unmarried person you share a romantic or domestic life with. Every spouse is a partner, but a partner need not be a spouse.
Does 'partner' mean the couple is married?
Not necessarily. 'Partner' deliberately leaves marital status open, so it can describe a married couple, an engaged pair, or two people who live together without marrying. If you need to specify marriage, 'spouse', 'husband', or 'wife' are clearer. 'Partner' is chosen precisely when that detail is left unstated.
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