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.
Toxic smog is choking millions across Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia, with authorities partly blaming the agricultural clearing method known as "slash and burn" for compounding the intense haze.
From BBC ● Oct. 15, 2026
Global observed oil inventories fell by 10 million barrels in September, as a 113-million-barrel drawdown in on-land stocks was partly offset by a 103-million-barrel increase in oil on water.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
But I didn’t hear that Raman tonight — partly because Bass made her play defense, from her first answer to her closing statement.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026
Meanwhile, growing wealth tied to the stock market partly reflects “billionaires getting richer and richer,” as well as aging baby boomers and their accumulation of assets, Long said.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026
It communicates partly by implying meanings through pose, facial expression, allegory, and the like.
From "History of Art, Volume 1" by H.W. Janson
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.
