partner
Pluralpartners
Verbpartners, partnering, partnered
Pluralpartners
Formspartners, partnering, partnered
- 1A person linked to someone else by an activity they do together or an interest they have in common.
He was her partner in every adventure they undertook.
The two scientists were close partners in the research for many years.
UsageOften with a noun in front naming the activity: business partner, dance partner; also a partner in something.
Similarcompanion, collaborator, associate, ally
- 2A husband or wife, or a person with whom one has a romantic or sexual relationship, often while living together.
He and his partner have lived together for more than a decade.
She brought her partner to the company holiday party.
Similarspouse, companion, lover
Note
Here the word deliberately leaves marriage open: a partner may or may not be a spouse, and the bond may be domestic, romantic or sexual. That breadth makes it the natural choice in law and public guidance. Amelia Gentleman's 2023 report on prosecuting "abusive partners" for controlling behavior shows the need: one term has to cover every kind of couple.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
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- 3A member of a business or law firm partnership who shares in its ownership and profits.
After ten years at the firm, he was finally made a partner.
The senior partners voted to expand into two new markets.
UsageYou become or are made a partner, usually at or in a firm.
Note
The legal partner carries obligations as well as profits. In James Dalrymple's report of Thomas Rue contra Andrew Houstoun (case heard in 1668; report published in 1683), a discharge granted to Adam Mushet is argued to free Houstoun as well, because Houstoun was "his Partner." The partnership bound the two together in the debt, which is why the word stands beside conjunct and correus debendi, the Latin term for a joint debtor.
- 4To work or perform together with someone as a partner.
Researchers partner across institutions to share data and equipment.
He partnered with a nonprofit to deliver meals to the elderly.
UsageUsually partner with someone, or partner on a project: we partnered with a local charity.
Similarcollaborate, cooperate
Oppositecompete
Note
It describes what two parties do together. By contrast, the transitive verb describes someone pairing others up, as when organizers partner a newcomer with a guide.
- 5A person who takes part with one in a game, sport, or dance done in pairs or teams, such as a teammate at cards or in doubles tennis, or someone one dances with.
In doubles, a good partner covers the part of the court you leave open.
He blamed his partner for the careless bid that cost them the hand.
Similarteammate
Less common meanings
- 6
- 7Either member of a matched pair, whether people or objects.
Each sock had somehow lost its partner in the wash.
The vase stood alone, its partner having shattered years earlier.
Similarmate, match, twin, counterpart
- 8An arrangement among a group of people under which every member puts in a fixed sum of money for an agreed length of time.
- 9One of the wooden pieces forming the framework that strengthens a wooden ship's deck around the holes through which the mast and other fittings pass.
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Practice
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Origin
Latin partītiō ("portion") is the ultimate source. It led to Old French parçon ("partition") and then parçonier ("joint heir"), which gave Middle English parcener. Under the influence of part, parcener was altered to partener. The word may also stand for Old French part tenour ("part holder"). Parcener is a doublet.