partial

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈpɑrʃəl/
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /ˈpɑːʃəl/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: par‧tial

Adjective

Positive partial

Comparative more partial

Superlative most partial

1. A partial list, solution, payment etc. is just a part of the whole and not complete.
   • Synonym: incomplete
   • Antonym: complete

   The dinner was only a partial success – everyone loved the dessert, but nobody liked the soup.

2. If you are partial to something, you like it.
   • Synonyms: for and fond
   • Antonym: against

   I'm rather partial to a beer or two on Friday nights.

3. If you are partial, you treat people or things differently, unfairly preferring one to another.
   • Synonym: biased
   • Antonym: impartial

   The students accused the teacher of being partial in her grading.

Related words

• part
• partially
• impartial