partially
Americanadverb
-
to some degree or in some way or aspect, but not fully or totally; incompletely.
Season three of the sci-fi series would have taken place either partially or completely on Mars.
-
in a way that is biased or prejudiced in favor of one group, side, person, etc., over another.
He did not judge partially, he said, but claimed to mete out justice equally to rich and poor alike.
Other Word Forms
- nonpartially adverb
- overpartially adverb
Etymology
Origin of partially
Explanation
Partially means part way, not complete. If you’ve partially completed a test when the bell rings, you better work faster to finish up next time! A part is a portion of something, not the whole thing. Similarly, the word partially refers to a part of something only. A partially brick house is not all brick. Anything that is partially true is only true to some degree, like if you tell someone you’re in a band, but really you just carry the guitars. This word means about the same as partly, and the opposite word would be wholly or entirely.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Sri Lankan government says it has provided relief to most residents whose houses were partially damaged, enabling them to carry out repairs.
From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026
In the time it took to work on SLS, SpaceX essentially perfected its partially reusable Falcon 9 rocket, which has launched roughly 650 times, and dramatically lowered the cost to reach space.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
Economists at DBS reckon that the headline jump likely partially reflects an increase in cooking gas, energy index and ex-factory input costs.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
Hancock Park will stay partially open, with new walking paths and outdoor features set to be phased in coordination with construction.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
I’d forgotten he sleeps with his eyes partially open, whites showing.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
