partly

[pahrt-lee]

adverb

1. in part; to some extent or degree; not wholly; partially.

   His statement is partly true.

partly

/ ˈpɑːtlɪ /

adverb

1. to some extent; not completely

Usage

Partly and partially are to some extent interchangeable, but partly should be used when referring to a part or parts of something: the building is partly (not partially ) of stone, while partially is preferred for the meaning to some extent: his mother is partially (not partly ) sighted

Word History and Origins

Origin of partly¹

First recorded in 1515–25; part + -ly

Example Sentences

And the character, he says, was partly his idea.

From Los Angeles Times

South Korean companies have promised to invest billions of dollars in key US industries in the coming years, partly as a way to avoid tariffs.

From BBC

For all that innovation, these latest moves are also partly about establishing more conventional - and clearer - structures.

From BBC

Then, earlier this year, a World Athletics working group recommended going further still, claiming new research showed testosterone suppression could only partly mitigate the overall male advantage.

From BBC

That is partly because of the sheer numbers that have been seized, but also because many of the illegal bikes have their power supplies built into the frames.

From BBC

Related Words

• at least 
• partially 
• slightly 
• somewhat