Meaning & Definition of word "Partial"

Partial

/ˈpɑːrʃl/

adjective:

  • 1. incomplete; not total or whole.
    • Example: The report was only a partial summary of the findings.
  • 2. favoring one side over another; biased.
    • Example: The judge was accused of being partial in his ruling.
  • 3. relating to or being a part of something.
    • Example: She made a partial payment on her bill.

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin 'partialis', from 'pars' (part).

Common Phrases and Expressions

partial to:

Favoring or having a preference for something.

partial payment:

A payment that is less than the total amount due.

partial list:

A list that does not include all items.

partial credit:

Credit given for a correct part of an answer.

Related Words

part:

A piece or segment of something larger.

partially:

To some extent, but not completely.

partition:

The act of dividing something into parts.

Slang Meanings of partial

Meaning: Having a bias or preference in a way that is not impartial.

Example Sentence: That news report was so partial, it didn't even cover the other side of the story.