Main meanings of partner in English

: partner¹ partner²

partner¹

Pronunciation /ˈpɑːtnə/

See synonyms for partner

Translate partner into Spanish

noun

1Either of a pair of people engaged together in the same activity.
‘arrange the children in pairs so that each person has a partner’
- ‘the striker looked sharp and eager as Jackson's partner in attack’
- ‘she and her dance partner were on the show for seven weeks’
- ‘The beauty of the four-player game becomes apparent when partners work together.’
- ‘He is the perfect partner, a consummate dancer that complements, supports and enhances his dancing partner.’
- ‘If you know any guys that want a ballroom dancing partner, tell me!’
- ‘It also helps a lot that I've played with Kenny Jonsson; this is our third season together as defense partners.’
- ‘He can play some defense, hit an occasional open jumper and provide Jordan a good partner for card games on team flights.’
- ‘Giggs began the game as his notional partner and when Ferguson finally decided to switch him back to the wing, it was too late.’
- ‘He gets the team's undivided attention, but, for instance, he doesn't have a teammate as a drafting partner.’
- ‘I tried changing dancing partners but he kept coming back.’
- ‘Going into the quarterfinals game against my partner, Paul Gauthier, was tough.’
- ‘If you do not have the training partners or full-time coaching and the medical back-up you need, it is virtually impossible.’
- ‘The rules of play and scoring are exactly as in the individual game, but partners combine their scores.’
- ‘I got to dance with all three of my dancing partners.’
- ‘She nodded, smiling as well as I led her to the dance floor while the other three obtained their own dancing partners.’
- ‘John loved to play cards and enjoyed many a good game with his playing partners on a Sunday night.’
- ‘She stressed that it was a game played with a partner, so communication skills and co-operation were vital.’
- ‘People turned from their dancing partners and glared at me.’
- ‘Gretchen swallowed her sigh of disappointment and looked at her dancing partner.’
- ‘Her dance partner didn't seem to take it too seriously, and laughed.’
- ‘Dance partners did not do this to one another.’
- ‘It transpired that the two signatures on the card were those of his first-day playing partners, both of whom had signed it by mistake.’
1. 1.1A person or group that takes part with another or others in doing something.
  ‘he began to call potential coalition partners about forming a new government’
  ‘Scotland is the rest of the UK's second biggest trading partner’
2. 1.2Any of a number of individuals with interests and investments in a business or enterprise, among whom expenses, profits, and losses are shared.
  ‘a partner in a prosperous legal practice’
  ‘a junior partner’
  ‘But he acknowledged that each partner shared in the profits of the whole firm.’
  ‘I'm a junior partner at a law firm specializing in mergers and acquisitions.’
  ‘One or more partners must assume business risks and purchase considerable insurance to protect the business.’
  ‘Instead, the courts should be given the power to order the buy-out of a partner's share, as happens in company law.’
  ‘It is important to note that most of this new flexibility relates almost exclusively to individuals who are self-employed, sole traders or partners / directors of firms.’
  ‘Even though he's searching for partners to share the financial risk, it's uncertain whether he'll find takers.’
  ‘Often they have a local partner and some profit sharing arrangement.’
  ‘Those people already working as partners in Irish accounting firms confirm that if you have what it takes to make it to the top, you will reap the rewards.’
  ‘We are all equal partners in the business but with no nominated managing director.’
  ‘Thailand and Germany are also strategic trading partners.’
  ‘Maybe I've found my partner in crime.’
  ‘They had chosen their own lab partners, and they had picked each other.’
  ‘I sat down at my lab counter where my chemistry lab partner was already sitting and guess who it was?’
  ‘The limited partners are only liable to the extent of the assets they've contributed.’
  ‘Like these shareholders, partners remain personally liable for any personally negligent acts.’
  ‘The two are former Seahawks teammates and partners in a human resource company.’
  ‘We acquired the rest or ran certain companies together with partners.’
  ‘Each member state contributes money into the European research pot and it's then up to our researchers to bid for support (always with partners from other member states).’
  ‘Or I could point out that I have had any number of law partners with whom I have violently disagreed about politics.’
  ‘This should be included in a partnership agreement and thought should be given to whom your partners are.’
  colleague, associate, co-worker, fellow worker, co-partner, collaborator, ally, comrade, companion, teammate
  View synonyms
2Either member of a married couple or of an established unmarried couple.
‘she lived with her partner’
- ‘Roughly one of four couples consists of unmarried partners.’
- ‘It is pleasing that unmarried partners will now receive the same as married partners.’
- ‘Each had been barred from living in married student housing with her respective partner because neither couple is married.’
- ‘I do not appreciate members' partners or spouses being brought into this argument.’
- ‘Egg donation is another method of infertility treatment, used when the female partner of a couple is unable to produce her own viable eggs.’
- ‘Effective June 30, 2004, common-law spouses now have the same rights and obligations as married partners.’
- ‘There will rarely be problems for a legal spouse in a new country - but unmarried partners may both have to apply.’
- ‘It is also asking for pensions for part-time firefighters, who are currently excluded, and wants normal widows and widower benefits made available to unmarried partners.’
- ‘A recurrent scenario is the long-term relationship of a late-twenties couple where the two partners have differing expectations.’
- ‘All past members and their partners are invited to attend.’
- ‘He said home-based machines were difficult to operate and patients had to rely heavily on partners or family members for help with dialysis.’
- ‘All Salmon and Trout Club members and their partners are very welcome.’
- ‘Only three of them appear in their own right, and a further 22 appear with their partners or members of their family.’
- ‘Even though they eventually married different partners, they stayed in touch.’
- ‘She agreed that the couple were equal partners and that she could take care of herself.’
- ‘At first local children had been welcoming, but they had started taking advantage of West and his partner until the couple had discouraged any more visits.’
- ‘One partner of a same-sex couple could well take this approach.’
- ‘When you (or the surviving partner of a couple) die, the house is sold and the amount borrowed repaid.’
- ‘Should you have a child if your partner isn't willing?’
- ‘These ten have been chosen either for their ability to embarrass their partners while still together or for making life difficult after breaking up.’
- ‘Maybe you're afraid you weren't a good parent, partner, or friend.’
husband and wife, twosome
View synonyms
3A person with whom one has sex; a lover.
‘make sure that you or your partner are using an effective method of contraception’
- ‘Leading the way are online chatrooms and other services which help people find a soul mate, a sex partner or even a lover.’
- ‘Whether you are involved with a casual partner or a long-term lover, you aren't likely to go…’
- ‘The plot heats up as lovers change partners, but for long stretches, the author pretty much abandons plot for a (usually amusing) digression.’
- ‘We must restore these patients to their full potential as partners, as lovers, as intimates, in short, as complete women and as complete people.’
- ‘In addition, since older lovers customarily gave their partners gifts or money from time to time, families often welcomed the financial gain.’
- ‘Lovers often notice their partners checking out during sex.’
- ‘The number of partners with whom no condom was used is more specifically related to STD and pregnancy risk.’
- ‘Your sex drive is expanded by this aspect, but it's necessary to restrict partners to those with whom you have intellectual rapport.’
- ‘No one enjoys seeing a former lover with a new partner; it can be a potent reminder of rejection.’
- ‘You must always agree with your partner / lover that you are acting out a role or fantasy.’
- ‘A 25-year-old man reports having multiple female sexual partners.’
- ‘Risk of cervical cancer is higher in women who have had multiple sexual partners.’
- ‘This includes sexual partners and all members of the household, even if they are not yet showing any symptoms.’
- ‘Seriously you were the greatest sex partner I've ever had.’
spouse, husband, wife, mate, consort
View synonyms
1. 3.1US dated, dialect A friendly form of address by one man to another.
  ‘how you doing, partner?’
  man, my friend
  View synonyms

verb

[with object]

1Be the partner of.
‘young farmers who partnered Isabel to the village dance’
- ‘Banks and government must effectively partner farmers' groups who perform.’
- ‘John Galvin also starts for the first time this season and will partner John Quane in midfield in the absence of the suspended Jason Stokes.’
- ‘The Australia-theme evening includes a dinner with a pair of Australian wines to partner each course, followed by an auction of promises.’
- ‘I cannot imagine they will find many other mobile phone companies to partner them in the future.’
- ‘The problem for Hughes is he has yet to find a suitable accomplice to partner the veteran goal-poacher up front.’
- ‘We do make sure certain standards are lived up to by all the manufacturers of all the various different companies that are partnered with us.’
- ‘Dan Gordon had a greater influence on game once he partnered Gregory McCartan in midfield.’
- ‘With Chris Conway drafted to partner James Conway in a bid to break the Blues midfield stranglehold, they fired.’
- ‘Alan Reilly played up front with young Gavin Phelan with David Breen returning to partner Willie Byrne at the back.’
- ‘Here men dance with men, women partner women, and anyone can lead or follow.’
- ‘This time she had the support of Majorie Elvidge at lead, as Mavis Puckering, who had partnered Wilson for the last two years, was unable to play.’
- ‘The daughter of Blue Ocean was partnered by Michael Hussey and led with over a furlong to go to beat the newcomer, Fancy.’
- ‘By that time he expects to be partnered by a major mining company to fund the expensive process of gold extraction.’
- ‘Our decision, therefore, has been to partner the company.’
- ‘He is also keen to develop gaming on board and says companies are queuing up to partner the airline on this initiative.’
- ‘With that Jamie led her onto the floor, and proceeded to partner her for several dances.’
- ‘Gavin Clinch will again partner Steve Blakeley at half back and the pack is also likely to be unchanged.’
- ‘And even though they weren't partnered together, they were practically inseparable.’
- ‘He partnered several ballerinas successfully, most of all Patricia McBride.’
- ‘In other circumstances I would say he needed to be slightly taller to adequately partner this ballerina.’
go with, go along with, travel with, keep someone company, tag along with, partner, escort, chaperone, attend, follow, conduct, lead, take, show, see, guide, steer, usher, pilot, convoy, help, assist, show someone the way
View synonyms
1. 1.1no object Associate or work together as partners.
  ‘we've partnered with several venues and organizations to bring fun science events to the city’
  ‘This demonstrates that we can partner with nursing associations from around the world to gain from each other's expertise.’
  ‘Even though we didn't partner with them, we can certainly thank them.’
  ‘Like in gym, you usually have to partner with someone you don't even know.’
  ‘You can even partner with your competitor and that's the whole basis of the association movement.’
  ‘We have a whole team of licensed clinical professionals who are volunteers who partner with us.’
  ‘They may choose to partner with government but do not thereby abandon their freedom, independence, and unique identity.’
  ‘Clark told the master chiefs that he considers them senior leadership and tasked them to partner with their commanding officers.’
  ‘Be sure to partner with charities that tug at your personal heart strings as your commitment to these organizations will be stronger.’
  ‘He silently curses how averse he is to risk and is beside himself with anxiety when given the opportunity to partner with the entrepreneur.’
  ‘He wanted to partner with me but I gave him some things to think about and told him we would talk again this week, so maybe that will turn into something.’
  ‘We partner with other players to encourage curbside recycling.’
  ‘She was sure to partner with people she knew and could trust.’
  ‘Our promise to partner with you also underscores our growing commitment to the development of young people as journalists.’
  ‘All of the foreign companies are partnered with local Taiwanese firms.’
  ‘A lot of Chinese enterprises have been partnering up with foreign companies in joint ventures.’
  ‘An individual gallery can also partner with a local restaurant to offer gift certificates.’
  ‘I am optimistic that we can partner with these organizations to accomplish our goals.’
  ‘Rice University Press will partner with organizations to provide more affordable publishing.’
  ‘We must partner with other professional organizations and industry to maintain viability.’
  ‘As such, partnering with local firms is a must, he says.’

Origin

Middle English alteration of parcener ‘partner, joint heir’, from Anglo-Norman French parcener, based on Latin partitio(n-) ‘partition’. The change in the first syllable was due to association with part.