part

One piece or amount of something larger.

• I ate part of the cake.
• The best part of our trip was the boat ride.
• Are all the parts in the box?

How to use it: part of something (I read part of the report.)

Similar words: piece, portion, section

Opposites: whole

Common phrases: part of something, small part, missing part, equal part

A separate piece that belongs to a larger object, especially a machine.

• This part is broken.
• The mechanic ordered new parts for the engine.
• Where can I buy a replacement part?

How to use it: part of something (The handle is part of the tool.)

Similar words: component, piece

Common phrases: spare part, replacement part, car part

When people do this, they leave each other after being together.

• We parted at the station.
• The couple parted after ten years together.
• They shook hands before parting.

How to use it: part from someone (She parted from her brother at the station.)

Similar words: separate, leave

Opposites: meet

Common phrases: part company, part as friends, part from someone, part with someone

To separate something into two sides, or to move apart and leave an opening.

• She parted the curtains.
• The crowd parted to let us through.
• He parted his lips to speak.

How to use it: part something in the middle (He parts his hair in the middle.)

Similar words: separate, divide

Opposites: close

Common phrases: part the curtains, part your hair, part in middle

Having a share of something rather than owning or being responsible for all of it.

• She is part owner of the cafe.
• They agreed to part ownership of the boat.
• As a part owner, he receives some profits.

Similar words: partial

Opposites: full

Common phrases: part owner, part ownership

To some degree, but not completely.

• The meal was only part cooked.
• She is part Italian and part French.
• The project is part funded by the council.

Similar words: partly, partially

Opposites: wholly, completely

Common phrases: part finished, part german, part cooked, part french