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.
Gold futures are down 14% from pre-Iran levels to just over $4,600, partly due to investors seeking safety in the US dollar.
From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026
Starbucks said the two moves should increase baristas’ compensation by an estimated 5% to 8% on top of their current pay, though that depends partly on how much customers choose to tip.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026
Businesses and governments are expected to have generated 59,000 new jobs in March, partly reversing a 92,000 decline in February, according to economists polled by the Wall Street Journal.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026
The iPALM work was partly supported by an award from the Advanced Imaging Center at Janelia.
From Science Daily • Apr. 1, 2026
Dari cleared his throat, and Twig sighed, partly annoyed and partly amused.
From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller
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.
