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)

partners, present (3rd person singular) partnered, past participle, past partnering present participle

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

Derived Forms

• underpartner
  noun
• nonpartner
  noun
• partnerless
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have partnered
  perfect
• is partnering
  progressive 3rd person singular
• has partnered
  perfect 3rd person singular
• has been partnering
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am partnering
  progressive 1st person singular
• partnering
  participle
• have been partnering
  perfect progressive
• are partnering
  progressive
• partners
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had partnered
  perfect
• had been partnering
  perfect progressive
• were partnering
  progressive plural
• partnered
  simple
• partnered
  participle
• was partnering
  progressive singular

Future

• will partner
  simple
• will have partnered
  perfect
• will be partnering
  progressive
• will have been partnering
  perfect progressive

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

The first point of Williams' return was served by Mboko and ended in her partner sending a volley out without the American hitting a shot.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

Apollo noted its participation as a primary capital partner, along with Blackstone, reflects the growing role that private capital is playing in financing digital-infrastructure buildouts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Defender Morgan appears to have cemented her place as England's centre-back partner to captain Leah Williamson when she returns from injury.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

Williams has won 14 Grand Slam titles and three Olympic gold medals in doubles, all with sister Venus Williams as her playing partner.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

“Yes, your partner in medicine has returned. But I am a governess these days, and no longer a doctor—at least, not a practicing one.”

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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