partially

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/ˈpɑːrʃəli/
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A marker of limited extent in ordinary use, with an older sense for acting or judging with favoritism.
Practice using this word in conversation

Examples

  • The old charge said the witnesses had testified partially.
  • The treatment partially relieved the pain.
  • The company partially reopened the factory in June.
  • The magistrate was accused of judging partially.
  • The pamphlet claimed the council had acted partially for its allies.

Similar words

to some extent
somewhat
partisanly
with partiality
partly
to a degree
subjectively
partway
prejudicially
incompletely

Meanings

To some extent, not completely

adverb
everyday
neutral
To a limited degree, so that only part of something is true, finished, present, affected, or involved.

Usage

Use partially before adjectives and verbs when the idea is incomplete but real, such as partially open, partially paid, or partially explained.

Examples

  • The road was partially blocked after the storm.
  • The treatment partially relieved the pain.
  • Her answer was partially correct, but it missed the main point.
  • The company partially reopened the factory in June.
  • A curtain partially covered the window.
  • The grant will partially fund the research project.

Common mistakes

The adjective partial is used where the adverb partially is needed.
IncorrectCorrect
The form was partial completed. The form was partially completed.
The door was partial open. The door was partially open.
The plan was partially completely successful. The plan was partially successful.
The delay happened partially because the train was late. The delay happened partly because the train was late.

Similar words

partly
somewhat
incompletely
halfway
partway
in part
to some extent
to a degree

With bias or favoritism

adverb
fairness
archaic
In a biased way, favoring one person, side, or interest instead of treating all sides fairly.

Usage

Use partially in this sense only for historical, legal, or deliberately old-fashioned wording. Modern prose usually uses with partiality, unfairly, or biasedly instead.

Examples

  • The magistrate was accused of judging partially.
  • The pamphlet claimed the council had acted partially for its allies.
  • A fair ruler must not govern partially.
  • The steward dealt partially with tenants who opposed him.
  • The old charge said the witnesses had testified partially.
  • He feared the arbitrator had listened partially to one side.

Common mistakes

Modern degree uses are mistaken for the older bias sense.
IncorrectCorrect
The judge was partially biased toward his friend. The judge judged partially for his friend.
The committee gave a partially decision. The committee gave a partial decision.
The article argued partially the mayor. The article argued partially for the mayor.
The referee was partially between the teams. The referee judged partially between the teams.

Similar words

biasedly
unfairly
prejudicially
subjectively
partisanly
one-sidedly
with partiality

Usage

Use the limited-extent sense for normal modern writing, and reserve the bias sense for old-fashioned or historical contexts.

Common mistakes

Partial is used where partially is needed, as in partial completed instead of partially completed.

Etymology

From partial plus the adverbial suffix -ly. Partial came through Old French and Medieval Latin from Latin pars, meaning a part or share.

FAQ

What does partially mean?

Partially usually means to some extent, but not completely.

How is partially pronounced?

Partially is pronounced /ˈpɑːrʃəli/.

Is partially an adverb?

Yes. Partially is an adverb formed from the adjective partial.

What is the difference between partially and partly?

Both can mean to some extent. Partly is often more natural before reasons, as in partly because, while partially is common before adjectives and verbs.

Can partially mean biasedly?

Yes, but that sense is archaic. Modern writing usually says with partiality, unfairly, or biasedly.

What is the opposite of partially?

Common opposites are completely, fully, entirely, wholly, and totally.

Where does partially come from?

It comes from partial plus -ly, with partial ultimately tied to Latin pars, meaning a part or share.

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