Noun / Verb A2 — Elementary /pɑːt/

Part — Definition, Examples & Usage

A portion of a larger whole — and the act of going separate ways.

Quick Definition

Part (noun) — a portion, section, or piece of something larger: "This is the most difficult part of the lesson."

Part (verb) — to separate or move apart from someone or something: "The friends parted at the station and went their separate ways."

What Does Part Mean?

Part is one of the most frequently used words in English and belongs firmly at A2 level, though its many collocations and phrasal uses extend well into C1. At its core, the noun means a section of a whole — whether a chapter of a book, a component of a machine, or a role in a play. The verb meaning (to separate) is somewhat more formal and appears mostly in literary or journalistic contexts.

The word's flexibility is remarkable: it functions as a noun (the hard part), a verb (to part ways), an adverb (part finished), and appears in dozens of fixed phrases. Learners who master take part in, play a part in, and for the most part will sound considerably more natural in both speaking and writing.

Etymology

Origin: From Latin pars (a portion, share, side) via Old French part. Entered Middle English in the 13th century. The same Latin root gives us particle, partition, partial, partner, depart, and impart. Recognising this root allows you to decode dozens of English words instantly.

Example Sentences (A2–C1)

SentenceLevel & usage note
This is the most difficult part of the lesson. A2 — noun, basic noun phrase
We took part in a spelling competition at school. B1 — fixed phrase: take part in
The two colleagues parted on good terms after years of working together. B2 — verb, formal register
The new policy played a significant part in reducing waiting times. B2 — collocation: play a part in
For the most part, the reforms were welcomed by the academic community, though certain provisions remained contentious. C1 — fixed adverbial phrase in formal writing

Common Collocations

CollocationExample
take part inAll students are encouraged to take part in extracurricular activities.
play a part inDiet plays a significant part in long-term health.
for the most partFor the most part, the audience reacted positively.
in partThe delay was in part due to bad weather.
part withShe was reluctant to part with her grandmother's ring.
spare partThe mechanic ordered a spare part for the engine.
part timeHe works part time while studying for his degree.
the best part ofWe waited the best part of an hour before being seen.

Usage Notes

When part is used as an adverb or pre-modifier, it is written without a hyphen in British English: part finished, part time (but part-time when used as a compound adjective before a noun: a part-time job).

Note that take part in always requires in. A very common ESL error is to say "take part of" when participation is intended. The phrase part with (to give something up) is entirely different in meaning and should not be confused with part from (to separate from a person).

In formal and academic writing, in part and for the most part are elegant hedging devices. They allow you to qualify a statement without sounding vague, which is a hallmark of C1-level writing.

Related Words

partly partial partition particle depart impart department apart counterpart

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms (noun):

portion section piece segment component fraction share

Antonyms (noun):

whole entirety total sum

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

She took part of the competition last weekend.

She took part in the competition last weekend. (take part in, not take part of)

He is working part-time but studying full time.

He is working part time but studying full time. (no hyphen when used as an adverb after the verb)

The best part of the students passed the exam.

The majority of the students passed the exam. ('The best part of' means 'almost all of a quantity', not 'the best students'.)

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

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Frequently Asked Questions about “part”

What is the meaning of part?
As a noun, part means a portion or piece of something larger: 'the first part of the exam'. As a verb, it means to separate or move away: 'The crowd parted to let them through.' Both meanings share the core idea of division or separation.
What is the difference between part and portion?
Part is the general word for any section of a whole. Portion usually implies a share allocated to someone, often of food or resources: 'a large portion of the budget'. Part is far more common in everyday speech and can be used in a wider range of contexts.
How do you use 'take part in' correctly?
'Take part in' means to participate in an activity. It is always followed by 'in': 'She took part in the competition.' Do not say 'take part of' when you mean participation. 'Take part of' means to take a section of something, which is a different meaning.
What is the difference between 'part of' and 'a part of'?
Both are correct, but 'a part of' slightly emphasises that the thing is one distinct section among several: 'This is a part of a larger plan.' 'Part of' is more idiomatic when speaking generally: 'Exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle.' In most cases the two are interchangeable in informal British English.
Is part a countable or uncountable noun?
Part is countable: 'The book has three parts.' It can take a plural and use the indefinite article 'a': 'a small part of the problem'. It is never uncountable, so you will always say 'parts' not 'part' when referring to multiple sections.
What does 'for the most part' mean?
'For the most part' is a fixed phrase meaning 'mostly' or 'in general': 'For the most part, the students found the exercise straightforward.' It is a useful C1-level phrase for academic and formal writing that shows you can qualify statements without using vague words like 'kind of' or 'quite'.
What are common collocations with part?
Common collocations include: take part in, play a part in, in part, for the most part, spare part, part time, body part, the best part of, and part with (meaning to give something up). Learning collocations rather than single words dramatically improves fluency.
What is the verb form of part and how is it used?
As a verb, part means to separate or divide. It can be used with people: 'The friends parted at the station.' It can also mean to move something aside: 'She parted the curtains.' The phrasal verb 'part with' means to give something away reluctantly: 'He refused to part with his old guitar.'
What is the origin of the word part?
Part comes from Latin 'pars' (a portion, share, side) via Old French 'part'. It entered Middle English in the 13th century. The same Latin root gives us 'particle', 'partition', 'partial', 'partner', and 'depart'. Recognising this root helps you build vocabulary rapidly.
How can I practise using part in English?
Try LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to practise part and its collocations in context, or use the Flash Cards tool to test vocabulary including part, partly, partial, partition, and depart. Noticing how native speakers use 'take part in', 'play a part', and 'for the most part' in podcasts and articles will accelerate your learning.