DictionaryAI

partner

PART-nur/ˈpɑɹtnɚ/UKPART-nuh/ˈpɑːtnə(ɹ)/

Pluralpartners

Verbpartners, partnering, partnered

9 meanings of partner

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  1. 1
    associatenouncountable
    A person who works or does something together with you.

    She found a good partner for the school project.

    The two became partners in their effort to clean up the park.

    UsageOften with a word before it: business partner, dance partner.

    Similarcompanion, collaborator, associate, ally

  2. 2
    romantic relationshipnouncountable
    A husband or wife, or a person you have a romantic or sexual relationship with, often someone you live with.

    She introduced her partner to everyone at the wedding.

    My partner and I are buying our first home together.

    Similarspouse, companion, lover

    Note
  3. 3
    business ownernouncountable
    A person who owns part of a business or law firm together with others.

    She became a partner at the law firm last year.

    The two partners split the profits evenly.

    UsageYou become a partner at a firm.

    Note
  4. 4
    work togetherverbintransitive
    To work together with someone as a team.

    The two companies decided to partner on the new project.

    She often partners with local schools to teach reading.

    UsageSay partner with someone: they partnered with a school.

    Similarcollaborate, cooperate

    Oppositecompete

    Note
  5. 5
    same side (game)nouncountable
    The person you play with on your side in a game, or the person you dance with.

    My partner and I won the card game easily.

    She high-fived her partner after the winning point.

    Similarteammate

    Oppositeopponent, rival, adversary

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Origin

It comes from Middle English "partener," a changed form of "parcener," from Old French "parçonier" meaning "joint heir," going back to Latin words for "portion." It may also come from Old French "part tenour" meaning "part holder."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

  • Partner comes from Middle English partener, an alteration of parcener. en.wiktionary.org
  • Parcener derives from Old French parçonier meaning joint heir, ultimately from Latin words for portion. en.wiktionary.org
  • Partner may also derive from Old French part tenour meaning part holder. en.wiktionary.org