partner

American  

[pahrt-ner] / ˈpɑrt nər /

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.

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verb (used with object)

1. to associate as a partner or partners with.

2. to serve as the partner of.

partner British  

/ 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

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verb

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

Other Word Forms

• nonpartner
  noun
• partnerless
  adjective
• underpartner
  noun

Etymology

Origin of partner

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

Explanation

If you open a lemonade stand with your brother, then your brother is your business partner. Partner means "to pair up." At a square dance, the call "partner up!" means it's time to find someone to dance with. In business, there are often multiple partners — each one owns a share of the business, and has a share of the risk. Some people call their spouse or the person they're in a long-term relationship with their partner — it has more egalitarian senses than "husband" or "wife," and signals commitment even if you're not married.

Example Sentences

“This ranks low on the romantic side of things,” Boneparth said, “but you want to know what’s not romantic? Finding out at Year 3 your partner has $80,000 in credit-card debt. Surprise!”

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

He is a former partner at Sequoia Capital and sits on the board of several tech firms, including Nvidia.

From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026

"Doris was a full partner in Gap Inc.'s founding and a path-breaking entrepreneur at a time when that was highly unusual for women," said Gap president and CEO Richard Dickson.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

Not even further evidence of strong artificial-intelligence chip demand from Nvidia’s Taiwanese partner Foxconn—formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry—could really get the stock moving.

From Barron's • May 5, 2026

I didn’t even bother since my partner was a biter.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

Related Words

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