apart
apart Lexical Profile
apart Game Scores & Validity
• adverb
Separated by a specified distance in space or time.
"The two oak trees were planted twenty feet apart along the driveway."
Into separate pieces or component parts.
"The technician carefully took the antique clock apart to clean its gears."
To or on one side; excluded from consideration.
"Joking apart, we really need to finalize the project budget before Friday."
• adjective
Separated, isolated, or having unique qualities that distinguish someone or something from others (used predicatively or following a noun).
"Her innovative approach to classical composition puts her in a class apart from her contemporaries."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse the single word 'apart' (meaning separated) with the two-word phrase 'a part' (meaning a piece or member of a whole, as in 'to be a part of the team'). As an adjective, 'apart' is used exclusively in the predicate or postpositive position.
• Rhymes for apart
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French 'a part' (meaning 'to one side'), from Latin 'ad partem', combining 'ad' (to) and 'pars' (a part or side).