adjective / noun
partial
Involving only part of a whole.
The puzzle shows a partial landscape, with a large section missing.
Etymology
The adjective is built on the word for a part. A partial result or action concerns only a portion, leaving some of the whole unincluded or unfinished.
In context
But not all eclipses are made equal. The most spectacular, the one for your bucket list is a total eclipse of the sun. A total solar eclipse begins as a partial eclipse.
More examples
- The store offers a partial refund for the damaged item.
- She wears a partial to replace several missing teeth.
- A musical note contains several partials that shape its sound.
Forms
partial · partials
partially adverb — To some extent, but not completely.
Similar words
- incomplete
- Incomplete emphasizes missing elements or an unfinished state.
- limited
- Limited emphasizes restrictions in extent, amount, or scope.