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.

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

Natalie Whelton, senior wealth adviser and wealth strategist at HB Wealth, said she works hard to help the more silent partner speak up in retirement planning.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 9, 2025

His defence was immaculate as he played the silent partner.

From BBC • Jul. 26, 2025

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

I am glad I have lived to see the day of its passing, for, unless I greatly mistake, it is at hand now that the old silent partner is going out of the firm.

From The Battle with the Slum by Riis, Jacob A. (Jacob August)

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