Partly

ˈpɑːrtli

adverbBeginner📊CommonDegree
1 meaning3 questions

Definitions

1

To some extent; not entirely; in part.

ˈpɑːrtli

adverbneutralBeginner
Degree

To some degree; not completely; in part

The statement is partly true.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're baking a cake and only put in some of the ingredients. The cake is only *partly* baked, right? It's not fully done yet!

👶 For kids: It means a little bit, but not all the way.

More Examples

2

I understand the problem, at least partly.

3

The success of the project was partly due to good planning.

How It's Used

General

"The work was only partly finished."

Business

"The company is partly owned by a foreign investor."

Synonyms & Antonyms

From Middle English *partly*, from Old French *partie* ('part') + -ly (adverbial suffix).

The word 'partly' has been used since the late 14th century, evolving from earlier forms meaning 'in a part' or 'to a certain extent.'

Memory tip

Think of 'part' – it's only a portion or segment of the whole.

Word Origin

LanguageFrench and Latin
Original meaning

"a share or section of something"

partly due topartly becausepartly responsiblepartly finishedpartly cloudy

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written