partner

[pahrt-ner]

noun

1. a person who shares or is associated with another in some action or endeavor; sharer; associate.

   Synonyms: accomplice, accessory, colleague

2. Law.

   1. a person associated with another or others as a principal or a contributor of capital in a business or a joint venture, usually sharing its risks and profits.

   2. special partner.

3. silent partner.

4. a spouse; a husband or a wife.

5. the person with whom one cohabits in a romantic relationship.

   I'd like you to meet my partner, Sarah.

6. either of two people who dance together.

   my favorite partner in the waltz.

7. a player on the same side or team as another.

   My tennis partner was an excellent player.

8. Nautical.,  partners, a framework of timber round a hole in a ship's deck, to support a mast, capstan, pump, etc.

verb (used with object)

1. to associate as a partner or partners with.

2. to serve as the partner of.

partner

/ ˈpɑːtnə /

noun

1. an ally or companion

   a partner in crime

2. a member of a partnership

3. one of a pair of dancers or players on the same side in a game

   my bridge partner

4. either member of a couple in a relationship

verb

1. to be or cause to be a partner (of)

Other Word Forms

• partnerless adjective
• nonpartner noun
• underpartner noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of partner¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English partener, alteration of parcener by association with part

Word History and Origins

Origin of partner¹

C14: variant (influenced by _part ) of _parcener

Example Sentences

Perhaps as a rebellion against her partner’s darkness and decadence, Birkin developed a personal style that exuded lightness, naturalness and relatable elegance.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

He confesses that, writing with the aid of Nelle Fortenberry, his longtime producing partner, he put the book together rapidly to hit shelves in time for the film’s 40th anniversary.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch also praised the US president, who she said "deserves credit for brokering this deal, with the support of Arab partners and Turkey".

Read more on BBC

About the author: Christopher Smart is a managing partner of the Arbroath Group, an investment strategy consultancy, and was a senior economic policy advisor in the Obama administration.

Read more on Barron's

Since then, Azerbaijan has further deepened its ties with Western and regional partners, including expanded natural gas exports to the European Union.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ally 
• associate 
• colleague 
• companion 
• friend 
• husband 
• participant 
• spouse 
• wife