partially

Everyday

1. Partially means partly; not completely. tree →
2. (formal) Partially can mean in an unfair way that favours one side; this use is rare. tree →

In the lessons

In maths and science it describes things that are only part done or part covered: a partially filled jug, a partially eaten cake, partially sighted. In health it describes people who can see or hear a little. Phrases: «partially sighted», «partially deaf», «partially cooked».

Examples

• The glass is partially full. tree →
• The moon was partially hidden by clouds. tree →
• My grandad is partially sighted. tree →
• The road is partially closed. tree →
• The test was partially correct. tree →
• Never eat partially cooked chicken. tree →
• The door was partially open. tree →
• The cake was partially eaten by the time we arrived. tree →
• The snow that lay upon it was partially thawed, and the stones crumbled beneath the feet. tree →

Note

Means almost the same as «partly»; «partly» is more common for reasons («partly because»). Related adjective «partial». In maths «partially full» means between empty and full, e.g. 3/4 full: the fraction tells how much.