Reading Theme:
Partial Meaning, Usage & Examples (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：incomplete (partial)
partial
/ˈpɑːrʃəl/
adj.
Not complete or whole; only a part of something.
incomplete
➕
/ˌɪnkəmˈpliːt/
adj.
Not complete or whole; only a part of something.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'partialis' from 'pars' (part) + '-ial', meaning 'of or relating to a part'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'part' + 'ial' = focusing on only one part, hence incomplete or biased.
📖 Example
The report we received was only a partial one, so we're still waiting for the full details.
The report we received was only a partial one, so we're still waiting for the full details.
🔗 Collocations
partial payment – a payment that covers only part of the total amount
partial answer – an answer that addresses only some aspects of a question
partial recovery – a recovery that restores only some function or health
🔄 Synonyms
incomplete (adj.) – lacking some parts; not finished
fractional (adj.) – relating to a small part of a whole
unfinished (adj.) – not completed or brought to an end
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
partially (adv.) – to some extent; not completely
partiality (n.) – the state of being incomplete or biased
impartial (adj.) – not biased; fair
📖 Cultural Story
Derived from Latin 'partialis' in the 14th century, originally meaning 'not whole'. The sense of 'biased' emerged in the 16th century from 'favoring one part'.
Meaning 2：having a preference for (partial)
partial
/ˈpɑːrʃəl/
adj.
Having a special liking or preference for something.
having a preference for
➕
/ˈhævɪŋ ə ˈprɛfərəns fɔr/
adj.
Having a special liking or preference for something.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
My grandfather has always been partial to dark chocolate, saying it's the only real chocolate.
My grandfather has always been partial to dark chocolate, saying it's the only real chocolate.
🔗 Collocations
partial to sweets – having a strong liking for sweet foods
partial to jazz – preferring jazz music over other genres
partial to adventure – enjoying adventurous activities
🔄 Synonyms
fond of (adj. phrase) – having a liking or affection for
keen on (adj. phrase) – very interested in or enthusiastic about
inclined to (adj. phrase) – tending to prefer or choose something
🚫 Antonyms
indifferent to (adj. phrase) – having no particular interest in
averse to (adj. phrase) – strongly disliking or opposing
Meaning 3：biased (partial)
partial
/ˈpɑːrʃəl/
adj.
Unfairly supporting one person, group, or opinion over another.
biased
➕
/ˈbaɪəst/
adj.
Unfairly supporting one person, group, or opinion over another.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The students felt the teacher was partial towards the kids who always answered questions first.
The students felt the teacher was partial towards the kids who always answered questions first.
🔗 Collocations
partial towards – showing favoritism toward a particular person or group
partial judge – a judge who favors one side unfairly
partial decision – a decision influenced by bias
🔄 Synonyms
biased (adj.) – unfairly favoring one side over another
prejudiced (adj.) – having a preconceived opinion based on insufficient reason
unfair (adj.) – not based on justice or equality
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
partiality (n.) – the quality of being biased or favoring one side
impartial (adj.) – not favoring one side; fair
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser