Partially Meaning
Partially Definition & Usage
In a manner that is incomplete or only partially the case; to some extent.
Examples
- "The task was only partially completed by the time the deadline passed."
- "The project was partially funded, so they couldn't finish all the intended work."
- "She was partially responsible for the success of the event, but others helped too."
- "The information we have is partially correct, but we need more data to confirm it."
- "I partially agree with your argument, but I think there are other factors to consider."
Describing a situation, condition, or fact that is true to some degree but not entirely.
Examples
- "The solution provided was only partially effective in solving the issue."
- "Her explanation was partially convincing, but it didn't fully address all the concerns."
- "His story is partially based on truth, but many details are fictionalized."
- "The treatment worked, but only partially, and he needed further medical attention."
- "The movie is partially inspired by true events, although much of it is fictional."
Cultural Context
The word 'partially' derives from the Latin word 'partialis', which means 'of or relating to part.' In contemporary English, it is used to denote something that is not whole, but only a portion of something.
The Half-Completed Puzzle
Story
The Half-Completed Puzzle
A young artist named Mia had always prided herself on finishing what she started. However, for the last few weeks, she had been working on a large, intricate puzzle, only partially completing it before moving on to something else. The puzzle, an image of a beautiful mountain landscape, sat on her desk, with its corners almost finished but the middle pieces scattered on the floor beside it. Mia's friend, Leo, came by one afternoon to visit. He sat down, noticing the puzzle immediately. 'Are you going to finish it?' he asked. Mia shrugged. 'I started it, but I guess I got distracted. It's partially done, but not quite finished. Maybe I'll get back to it later.' Leo raised an eyebrow. 'Why not just finish it now? It’s frustrating to leave things incomplete.' Mia laughed. 'Sometimes, leaving something partially done helps me appreciate the effort. It’s like... part of the process is in knowing that I don’t need to complete it right now.' Later that evening, as they sat together in the dim light, Mia explained how she felt about her work in general. 'I’m often partially satisfied with things. Not everything needs to be perfect or whole. Sometimes it’s about the journey, not the destination.' Leo thought about this and nodded slowly. 'I get that. But what about your art? Don’t you want to finish your pieces?' Mia smiled, 'Yes, but the process is more important to me than just the result. My paintings are partially finished in my mind before I ever touch the canvas. The rest comes from within.' Mia’s perspective on partiality helped Leo see that not everything in life needed to be fully completed to be valuable. The puzzle, after all, had already given them both a chance to talk and connect, even though it was only partially finished.
Related Words
