apart

apart

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Pronunciation

IPA Phonetic Spelling:

• /əˈpɑːrt/ (General American) or /əˈpɑːt/ (Received Pronunciation)

• a - /ə/ (schwa, unstressed, as in "about")

• part - /pɑːrt/ (as in "start" with 'p' - General American) or /pɑːt/ (as in "start" without 'r' - Received Pronunciation)

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Word Form Variations

Apart" primarily functions as an adverb or adjective. It does not have singular/plural forms or inflect for tense.

• Adverb: apart

• Adjective: apart (used predicatively, not typically before a noun)

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Adverb

1. Separated by a distance; not together or close.

• Example: "The two houses stood far apart."

• Synonyms: separately, widely, remotely, individually, disconnectedly

• Antonyms: together, close, near, adjacent, united

2. Into pieces or constituent parts; to pieces.

• Example: "The old shed fell apart in the storm."

• Synonyms: to pieces, to shreds, asunder, disintegrated

• Antonyms: together, intact, whole, assembled

3. To or on one side; aside. (Often used with "set" or "put")

• Example: "He set some money apart for emergencies."

• Synonyms: aside, separately, by itself, reserved

• Antonyms: together, included, integrated

4. Except for; with the exception of. (Used to specify an exclusion)

• Example: "Jokes apart, we need to be serious."

• Synonyms: excluding, aside from, besides, excepting

• Antonyms: including, embracing, together with

Adjective

1. Separated; not joined or connected. (Used predicatively)

• Example: "The twins were seldom apart."

• Synonyms: separated, detached, disconnected, distinct, isolated

• Antonyms: together, joined, connected, united, close

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; mere anarchy is loosed upon the world." (W.B. Yeats, "The Second Coming," 1919)

• Newspapers:

• "The recent scandal threatens to tear the political party apart just months before the general election." (The Guardian)

• Online Publications:

• "Experts are working to take apart the recovered satellite debris to understand its failure." (NASA.gov)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• "We may not be together, but we're never truly apart." (Common dialogue in romantic films or songs, often expressing enduring connection, e.g., in a similar sentiment to The Notebook, 2004)

• "Breaking down the most complex plot points of the new sci-fi series, we take the story apart scene by scene." (Podcast episode title, "Plot Twists Explained," May 2025)

• "The designer meticulously took apart the vintage watch to clean and restore every tiny gear." (YouTube video on antique restoration, April 2025)

• General Public Discourse:

• "My car fell apart on the highway."

• "The twins are rarely apart."

• "Jokes apart, we need to focus on this serious issue."

• "They live miles apart, but they talk every day."

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10 Quotes Using Apart

1. "Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; mere anarchy is loosed upon the world." (W.B. Yeats, "The Second Coming," 1919)

2. "We may not be together, but we're never truly apart." (Common sentiment in romantic songs or films about enduring connections, e.g., similar to The Notebook theme)

3. "Keep them three paces apart." (A common phrase implying separation or maintaining distance, often in security or controlled environments)

4. "Families are like branches on a tree. We grow in different directions yet our roots remain as one. We are never truly apart." (Widely used family sentiment, often on decorative signs)

5. "To take something apart means to understand how it works." (Common philosophical or mechanical adage)

6. "He couldn't tell the twins apart; they looked exactly alike." (A common descriptive phrase highlighting indistinguishability)

7. "When faced with adversity, true leaders unite instead of falling apart." (A common motivational observation)

8. "Jokes apart, we need to get serious about this issue." (A common transitional phrase in conversation)

9. "They lived miles apart, but their hearts remained connected." (A common romantic or friendship trope)

10. "You can't rip a strong fabric apart with just a single tug." (A common metaphor for resilience)

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Etymology

The word "apart" is about being separate or in pieces, and its history comes from a Latin root that emphasizes being "at a part" or "to a part."

It comes from the Old French word "a part" (which is also the modern French "à part"). This Old French phrase meant "to the side," "separately," or "aside."

This Old French phrase itself was derived from the Latin phrase "ad partem," meaning:

• "ad": meaning "to" or "at."

• "partem": the accusative form of "pars," meaning "part" or "portion."

So, literally, "a part" meant "to a part" or "at a part," implying a separation from the main whole.

The phrase "a part" entered the English language from Old French in the late 13th or early 14th century (around the 1200s to 1300s).

The first known use and meaning of "apart" in English was very much in line with its French and Latin origins: "to or on one side," "aside," or "separately." This soon evolved to include the meaning of "into pieces" (as in "fall apart") and "at a distance from each other." The word has remained consistent in conveying separation.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Apart

• Set apart (to make someone or something distinct or special; to reserve for a specific purpose)

• Take apart (to disassemble; to analyze in detail)

• Tear apart (to destroy by pulling into pieces; to criticize harshly)

• Fall apart (to break into pieces; to lose emotional control; to fail)

• Come apart at the seams (to begin to fail or lose control, either physically or emotionally)

• Worlds apart (very different; having nothing in common)

• Miles apart (physically very distant; figuratively, very different in opinion)

• Stand apart (to be distinct or superior)

• Grow apart (to become less close or intimate over time)

• Keep oneself apart (to remain separate or aloof from others)

• Pull apart (to separate by force; to analyze closely)

• Break it down (using a synonym for "take apart," meaning to simplify or explain)

• Tattered and torn (using synonyms for "fallen apart," meaning in poor condition)

• Put asunder (a formal or archaic synonym for "separate")

• Light years away (using a synonym for "miles apart," emphasizing vast difference)

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of apart from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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