silent partner

American

noun

a partner taking no active part in the conduct of a business.

silent partner British

noun

Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): sleeping partner. a partner in a business who does not play an active role, esp one who supplies capital

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of silent partner

An Americanism dating back to 1820–30

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.

See Examples For:

silent partner

Much that is worth reading has been written about consciousness and its silent partner, the unconscious.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 15, 2026

It is the silent partner in every coal operation, and China’s operations are enormous.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 21, 2026

There is a silent partner in every screamer of course.

From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2024

Over the past three months she discovered that throwing events with a silent partner isn’t as difficult as she thought.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2024

He was the first one to take your candies to South Riveredge,” cried Jean, with thoughts ever for the faithful old silent partner.

From Three Little Women A Story for Girls by Jackson, Gabrielle E. (Gabrielle Emilie)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023