partial

1 of 2

adjective

par·​tial ˈpär-shəl 

1

: of or relating to a part rather than the whole : not general or total

a partial solution

a partial payment

2

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

It is inconsistent with justice to be partial …

—John Stuart Mill

3

: markedly fond of someone or something

—used with to

partial to pizza

She's partial to tall men with blond hair.

partial

2 of 2

noun

: overtone sense 1a

Synonyms of partial

Adjective

• distorted
• hostile
• biased
• partisan
• colored
• one-sided

Examples of partial in a Sentence

Adjective

These plants prefer full sun or partial shade.

The partial ban on immigration has been lifted.

His latest play was deemed only a partial success by the critics.

a partial eclipse of the sun

He wears a partial denture.

She suggested a partial solution to the problem.

A referee must not be partial toward either team.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Those in London with eclipse glasses will see a 91% partial eclipse; in Paris, 92%; in Berlin, about 85%; and in Vienna, 87%. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

The measure was approved by almost 65% of Texas voters, and multiple Texas cities and counties, including Fort Worth and Tarrant County, have implemented either partial or full exemptions since. — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 July 2026

Noun

London, Manchester and Glasgow will see a 91% partial, while Cardiff and Belfast will see 93%. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

The journals’ reviewers wanted complete genome sequences, but the team had only partials. — David Quammen, New York Times, 25 July 2023

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

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

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1873, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing partial

• partial-birth abortion
• partial denture
• partial derivative
• partial differential equation
• partial differentiation
• partial fraction
• partial pressure
• partial product
• partial to

Rhymes for partial

• marshal
• parshall
• impartial

Kids Definition

partial

adjective

par·​tial

ˈpär-shəl

1

: inclined to favor one side over another : biased

2

: fond of someone or something

partial to pizza

3

: relating to or being a part rather than the whole : not total or complete

a partial eclipse

a partial rhyme

partially

ˈpärsh-(ə-)lē

adverb