partial

/ˈpɑːrʃəl/
adjectiveIntermediate
general

Incomplete or limited in scope or extent

The report provided only partial data.

The report didn't include all the available data.

💡

Often used to indicate something is not complete or full.

general

Having a preference or bias toward something

He was accused of being partial to his favorite student.

He was accused of favoring his favorite student over others.

💡

This meaning is often used in legal or formal contexts.

Collocations

partial toto have a preference forpartial paymenta payment that is not the full amountpartial creditcredit given for incomplete work

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

partial tophrase
to have a preference for
partial paymentphrase
a payment that is not the full amount

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

'Partial' is often used to describe something that is not complete or full.

Gold Rule

Avoid Confusion

Be careful not to confuse 'partial' with 'partial to', which means having a preference.

📖Word Origin

From Latin 'partialis', meaning 'of a part', from 'pars' (part).

📝Usage Notes

Can be used both as an adjective and a noun (e.g., 'the partials of a sound').

Word Breakdown

part
a piece or portion
root
+
-ial
relating to
suffix
English Dictionary