Partner

'pɑːtnə(r)

nounBeginnerVery CommonBusiness

Definitions

3 meanings
1

A person who participates in an activity with another person or people.

'pɑːtnə(r)

nounneutralBeginner
Business

A person who shares or is associated with another in some activity or endeavor.

They are business partners and have been working together for over twenty years.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're baking cookies with a friend! Your friend is your partner in cookie baking. Or, if you run a business, your business partner helps you run the company!

👶 For kids: A partner is someone you do something with, like a game or a dance!

More Examples

2

She is looking for a dance partner.

3

He and his partner invested in a new restaurant.

How It's Used

Business

"He is a senior partner at a law firm."

Social

"She went to the dance with her partner."

2

To join with someone as a partner.

'pɑːtnə(r)

verbneutralmedium
General

To associate or join with another as a partner.

The two organizations decided to partner on the project.

💡 Simply: Imagine two friends decide to start a lemonade stand together. They are partnering up! It means they're working together to make the lemonade stand happen.

👶 For kids: To partner means to work with someone to do something!

More Examples

2

She partnered with a local charity to raise money.

3

He partnered with her in the research study.

How It's Used

Business

"The two companies partnered to develop the technology."

Social

"He partnered with her for the dance competition."

Tip:Picture two people joining hands or working together.
3

The person one is married to or in a long-term romantic relationship with.

'pɑːtnə(r)

nounneutralBeginner
General

Either member of a married couple or a long-term romantic relationship.

She celebrated her anniversary with her partner.

💡 Simply: Your partner is the special person you love and share your life with, like your girlfriend, boyfriend, husband or wife.

👶 For kids: A partner is someone you love very much and are with a lot!

More Examples

2

He and his partner were planning a vacation.

3

They have been together for ten years, but are not married, they are partners.

How It's Used

Personal

"She went to the party with her partner."

Tip:Think about the special person you're with.

Idioms & expressions

business partner

A person who co-owns a business with another person.

"He is a business partner in a successful tech startup."

life partner

Someone with whom one shares a long-term romantic relationship or marriage.

"She considers him her life partner."

dance partner

A person with whom someone dances, especially in a formal context.

"She is looking for a dance partner for the competition."

From Middle English *partener*, from Old French *partenere* ('sharer, partner'), from *part* ('part') + *-enere* (agent suffix).

The word 'partner' has been used since the 14th century to describe individuals sharing in business or other activities.

Memory tip

Think of a person who shares something with you, like a business or a dance.

partenerpartnorpartener

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written