What does "part" mean?

1. (a piece of a whole) one of the pieces that makes up a whole object or group. 2. (a role or character) a character played by an actor in a movie or play. 3. (duty or involvement) your share of work or responsibility in an activity. 4. (hair line) the line on your head where you brush your hair in different directions. 5. (musical line) the music played by one specific instrument or voice in a group. 6. (to separate) to move two things away from each other. 7. (to say goodbye) to leave someone after being with them. 8. (partial) describing only a piece of something, not the whole thing. 9. (partially) to some degree, but not completely.

How do you use "part"?

In British English, this is usually called a 'parting'. Often used with the preposition 'from' or 'with'.

part — meaning, definition & examples

Word

01a piece of a whole

A1 · Beginner Countable noun

n. one of the pieces that makes up a whole object or group.

n. an individual constituent or component that belongs to a larger entity.

“The mechanic had to order a new part for the car's engine.”

“Each mechanical part must be machined to precise tolerances to ensure the assembly functions without friction.”

Synonyms

piece section component

Antonyms

whole entirety

02a role or character

A2 · Elementary Countable noun Theater

n. a character played by an actor in a movie or play.

n. the character assigned to an actor in a dramatic production.

“She was thrilled to get the lead part in the school play.”

“The actor spent months researching the historical figure to bring depth to his part in the upcoming biopic.”

Synonyms

role character

03duty or involvement

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. your share of work or responsibility in an activity.

n. the expected duty, responsibility, or contribution of an individual within a collective effort.

“Everyone must do their part to keep the park clean.”

“While the marketing team led the campaign, the legal department played a crucial part in ensuring regulatory compliance.”

Synonyms

duty role responsibility

04hair line

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun American English

n. the line on your head where you brush your hair in different directions.

n. the line of scalp visible when hair is combed in opposite directions.

“He changed his part from the left side to the middle.”

“The stylist suggested a jagged part to give the hair more volume and a modern edge.”

Usage

In British English, this is usually called a 'parting'.

Synonyms

parting

05musical line

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Music

n. the music played by one specific instrument or voice in a group.

n. the melody or harmony assigned to a specific instrument or voice within a musical score.

“The flute part is quite difficult in the second movement.”

“The conductor asked the cello section to play their part with more vibrato during the bridge.”

Synonyms

voice line

06to separate

B1 · Intermediate

v. to move two things away from each other.

v. to move things or people away from one another; to create a space between.

“The crowd parted to let the ambulance drive through.”

“The heavy velvet curtains parted slowly to reveal a minimalist stage design.”

Synonyms

separate divide split

Antonyms

join unite

07to say goodbye

B2 · Upper Intermediate Literary

v. to leave someone after being with them.

v. to leave someone's company, often after a significant period or with emotional weight.

“They parted as friends after a long afternoon of talking.”

“It was difficult for the old friends to part after so many years of working together in the same office.”

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'from' or 'with'.

Synonyms

leave depart separate

Antonyms

meet

08partial

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. describing only a piece of something, not the whole thing.

adj. constituting only a portion of a whole; incomplete.

“He is a part owner of the local bookstore.”

“The project was a part success, meeting its technical goals but failing to stay within the original budget.”

Synonyms

partial fractional

Antonyms

full total

09partially

B1 · Intermediate

adv. to some degree, but not completely.

adv. to a certain extent; in some degree.

“The house was part finished when they moved in.”

“The sculpture was part stone and part metal, creating a striking contrast of textures.”

Synonyms

partly partially

Antonyms

fully completely

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “part” in context.

01. central part 02. crucial part 03. following part 04. form part 05. important part 06. prominent part 07. significant part 08. substantial part 09. various part 10. vital part

From Middle English part, from Old English part (“part”) and Old French part (“part”); both from Latin partem, accusative of pars (“piece, portion, share, side, party, faction, role, character, lot, fate, task, lesson, part, member”), from Proto-Indo-European par-, per- (“to sell, exchange”). Akin to Latin portiō (“a portion, part”), parāre (“to make ready, prepare”). Displaced Middle English del, dele (“part”) (from Old English dǣl (“part, distribution”) > Modern English deal (“portion; amount”)), Middle English dale, dole (“part, portion”) (from Old English dāl (“portion”) > Modern English dole), Middle English sliver (“part, portion”) (from Middle English sliven (“to cut, cleave”), from Old English (tō)slifan (“to split”)).