What does partly mean?
Partly is an adverb meaning that something is true or occurs to some extent, but not fully or universally. It often introduces a qualification: a statement may be partly true, a person may be partly responsible for an outcome, or a process may be partly complete. The word is especially useful when something has several components or when a claim needs to be limited without being rejected altogether. In everyday use, “partly” can sound more direct than longer or more formal alternatives such as “to some extent” or “in part,” although all three are standard. It contrasts with words such as “wholly,” “fully,” and “completely,” which emphasize completeness. Overall, “partly” is a concise and natural way to describe an intermediate degree between complete and nonexistent.
adverbTo some extent, but not completely or in every respect.
- To some extent, but not completely or in every respect.
"The explanation was partly true, though it omitted an important detail."
"The road is partly covered in snow, making the journey difficult."
"Her success was partly the result of hard work and partly of good fortune."
“Partly” is the precise word for truth that is convincing in some respects but incomplete in others.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does partly come from?
Partly was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to part. The word part comes through Old French from Latin pars, meaning a piece, portion, or share. The same Latin root produced related English words including portion, partition, partial, and participate.
How partly is actually used
Common in standard English. It is often used to qualify claims about truth, responsibility, completion, causation, and similarity.