partner

/ˈpɑːt.nə(ɹ)/

//ˈpɑːt.nə(ɹ)// noun

"partner" is a 7-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“partner” is a regularly-used English word, ranked #1,532 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#1,532
frequency rank, English
7
letters
11
tracked misspellings
8
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - Either of a pair of people or things that belong together.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

partner vs porter
71% similar
partner vs patter
71% similar
partner vs partners
88% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for partner
PropertyValue
Headwordpartner
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈpɑːt.nə(ɹ)/
Letters7
Frequency rank#1,532
Misspellings tracked11
Confusable pairs8
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “partner” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). partner lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for partner is 7 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈpɑːt.nə(ɹ)/. Corpus data places it at rank #1,532 in overall English word frequency, indicating it appears regularly in written and spoken text. Wiktionary records 8 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 11 likely wrong-spelling variants for partner, with forms such as "aprtner", "parnter", and "parrtner". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. It also participates in 8 confusable-pair relationships, "porter", "patter", "partners", and more, a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English partener, partiner, alteration (due to Middle English part) of Middle English parcener, from Old French parçonier, parçonneour (“joint heir”) from parçon (“partition”), from Latin partītiōnem, singular accusative of partītiō (“portion”).… The correct English form is partner, spelled P-A-R-T-N-E-R.

Definition

  1. 1
    Either of a pair of people or things that belong together.
  2. 2
    Someone who is associated with another in a common activity or interest.
  3. 3
    Someone who is associated with another in a common activity or interest.
  4. 4
    Someone who is associated with another in a common activity or interest.
  5. 5
    Someone who is associated with another in a common activity or interest.
  6. 6
    Someone who is associated with another in a common activity or interest.
  7. 7
    One of the pieces of wood comprising the framework which strengthens the deck of a wooden ship around the holes through which the mast and other fittings pass.
  8. 8
    A group financial arrangement in which each member contributes a set amount of money over a set period.

Etymology

From Middle English partener, partiner, alteration (due to Middle English part) of Middle English parcener, from Old French parçonier, parçonneour (“joint heir”) from parçon (“partition”), from Latin partītiōnem, singular accusative of partītiō (“portion”). The word may also represent Old French part tenour (“part holder”). Compare also Middle English partifere (“partner”), partifelewe (“partner”). Doublet of parcener.

This word in other languages

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: aprtner,parnter,parrtner,partenr,partnerr,partnner,partnre,parttner,patrner,ppartner,pratner

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of partner - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

aprtner2parnter2parrtner1partenr2partnerr1partnner1partnre2parttner1
Edit distance from "partner"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "partner"?
"partner" is spelled P-A-R-T-N-E-R. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈpɑːt.nə(ɹ)/.
What does "partner" mean?
As a noun, "partner" means: Either of a pair of people or things that belong together.
What words are commonly confused with "partner"?
"partner" is commonly confused with "porter", "patter", "partners". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "partner"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "partner" is /ˈpɑːt.nə(ɹ)/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "partner"?
From Middle English partener, partiner, alteration (due to Middle English part) of Middle English parcener, from Old French parçonier, parçonneour (“joint heir”) from parçon (“partition”), from Latin partītiōnem, singular accusative of partītiō (“... See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “partner”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is P-A-R-T-N-E-R - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈpɑːt.nə(ɹ)/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “porter” - see the side-by-side comparison. partner vs porter
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list