partly
Americanadverb
adverb
Usage
Partly and partially are to some extent interchangeable, but partly should be used when referring to a part or parts of something: the building is partly (not partially ) of stone, while partially is preferred for the meaning to some extent: his mother is partially (not partly ) sighted
Etymology
Origin of partly
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.
Manchester has been agile in attracting private capital to build infrastructure, especially housing, partly because it had to.
From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026
Its EPS rose faster than the 27% increase in net profit due to stock buybacks, which were partly offset by employee stock awards.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026
It’s partly a memoir about his early years at the forefront of the index-fund revolution and partly a basic guide to lifelong buy-and-hold investing.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026
He thinks its rise in popularity is also partly down to Brits enjoying chilled reds on holiday, where he says "it's much more common" during the warmer months.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
The armies of France, therefore, have been mixed, partly mercenaries and partly her own troops.
From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli
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.
