partial

¹par·tial

adjective \ˈpär-shəl\

Definition of PARTIAL

1

: of or relating to a part rather than the whole : not general or total <a partial solution>

2

: inclined to favor one party more than the other : biased

3

: markedly fond of someone or something —used with to <partial to pizza>

Examples of PARTIAL

1. These plants prefer full sun or partial shade.
2. The partial ban on immigration has been lifted.
3. His latest play was deemed only a partial success by the critics.
4. a partial eclipse of the sun
5. He wears a partial denture.
6. She suggested a partial solution to the problem.
7. A referee must not be partial toward either team.

Origin of PARTIAL

Middle English parcial, from Late Latin partialis, from Latin part-, pars part

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PARTIAL

Synonyms

biased, one-sided, parti pris, partisan, prejudiced

Antonyms

disinterested, equal, equitable, evenhanded, fair, impartial, neutral, nonpartisan, objective, unbiased, unprejudiced

Related Words

hostile, inimical, jaundiced, unfriendly, unsympathetic; colored, distorted, misrepresented, shaded, warped; convinced, influenced, persuaded, predisposed, prepossessed, swayed; affected, concerned, interested

Near Antonyms

open, open-minded, persuasible, receptive; honest, just, reasonable; bipartisan; autonomous, independent; aloof, detached, dispassionate, hardheaded, impersonal, unemotional; cold, distant, remote; apathetic, incurious, indifferent, unconcerned, uncurious, unenthusiastic, uninterested

Rhymes with PARTIAL

marshal, martial, Martial

²partial

noun

Definition of PARTIAL

: overtone 1a

First Known Use of PARTIAL

1880

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue