Synonyms

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

Like Kempy he was an amazing silent partner in helping the clubs we worked for.

From BBC ● Jan. 25, 2026

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

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 21, 2026

The locally owned franchise, Anchored Tiny Homes, is owned by Goodwin; his wife, Natalie Wright; and a silent partner.

From Seattle Times ● May 23, 2024

Eltzbacher translates 8, "investment as silent partner"; 12, "balancing accounts."

From Anarchism by Eltzbacher, Paul

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