ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Partial

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ˈpɑɹʃəl/ · Part of speech adjective

Quick meaning: Partial is an adjective meaning Existing as a part or portion; incomplete.

Meaning

Existing as a part or portion; incomplete.

More Meanings

  1. (computer science) Describing a property that holds only when an algorithm terminates.
  2. Biased in favor of a person, side, or point of view, especially when dealing with a competition or dispute.
  3. (followed by the preposition to) Having a predilection for something.
  4. (mathematics) Of or relating to a partial derivative or partial differential.
  5. (botany) Subordinate.
  6. (crosswording, of a clue) Having a wordplay element, but no definition.
  7. (mathematics) A partial derivative: a derivative with respect to one independent variable of a function in multiple variables while holding the other variables constant.

Example Sentences

The referee is blatantly partial!
not partial to an ostentatious display
God is not partial; he does not play favorites.
So far, I have only pieced together a partial account of the incident.

Word Forms

Synonyms for partial

Depending on context, synonyms include partite, fractional, nonimpartial, fond, half rep, slanted.

Antonyms for partial

Common opposites include impartial, fair.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include one-sided, biased, uncomplete, incomplete, slanted, inclined.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.