Partial
/ˈpɑːrʃəl/
Definitions
2 meaningsInvolving only a part; not complete.
/ˈpɑːrʃəl/
Incomplete or not whole
The evidence was only a partial account of the crime.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're eating a pizza, and you only eat a few slices. The pizza eating experience is partial because you didn't finish the whole pizza. Another example is if you are working on a puzzle but don't finish it all.
👶 For kids: Not all of something; only a little bit.
More Examples
The company announced a partial reopening of its offices.
She received a partial scholarship for her studies.
How It's Used
"The report provided a partial view of the situation."
"The judge issued a partial verdict."
Showing undue favor to one side; biased or prejudiced.
/ˈpɑːrʃəl/
Favoring one side; biased
The judge was accused of being partial in his rulings.
💡 Simply: If a teacher gives one student more help or better grades than the other students, the teacher is partial. It means they have a favorite.
👶 For kids: When you like one thing more than other things, you are partial.
More Examples
The media presented a partial view of the political situation.
It's important to avoid being partial in your judgments.
How It's Used
"The referee was accused of being partial to the home team."
"The news outlet showed a partial view on the issue."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
partial to
Having a liking or preference for something.
"He is partial to ice cream."
From Middle French *partial*, from Latin *partialis* 'of a part', from *pars* 'part'.
Used since the 15th century, initially with the meaning of 'relating to a part,' gradually evolving to encompass the meanings of incomplete and biased.
Memory tip
Think of a pie with only a slice missing; it's *partial*.
Word Origin
"part"