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.
“The reaction from bonds makes sense,” partly because inflation was already sticky before the Iran conflict, Gude told MarketWatch during an interview.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026
However, partly offsetting that pressure, crude output disruptions across the Middle East appear less severe than expected, aided by greater-than-anticipated storage capacity both on land and at sea, according to the U.S. bank.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
The cost of partly finished goods shot up 2.6%, with accounting for three-quarters of the increase.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026
The firm also saw an uptick in operating expenses in the period, partly due to the M&A surge.
From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026
The two became friends and, partly due to McKissick’s influence, Phelps drafted a petition to integrate the undergraduate school.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
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.
