WordGarden.ioapart
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /əpˈɑːt/
US
- /əˈpɑrt/
Meanings
Adverb
separated from something else; at a distance or in pieces
emotionally, socially, or conceptually separate; no longer close or aligned
Beyond the definition
When things are apart, they aren't touching or together. Think of two puzzle pieces that haven't been connected yet—they're still apart! You’ll also see it after verbs to show separation or disassembly: you can pull things apart, take a device apart, or watch a fragile object fall apart. It can also mean emotionally distant, like when friends have a falling out and grow apart. Sometimes it simply means "except for": "Apart from the rain, it was a perfect day."
The word hints at separation. If you fall apart, you break into separate pieces. A world apart is vastly different from your own. You might keep your savings apart from your daily spending money. It's a small word that speaks volumes about distance—physical or emotional.
The word "apart" describes a state of separation, either physically, emotionally, or conceptually. Imagine two islands separated by a vast ocean—they are apart. It signifies not being joined or connected. "They lived miles apart" means their homes were geographically distant from each other.
But apart isn't always about physical distance. People can grow apart over time, meaning their interests and lives diverge until they no longer share a close connection. "After years of friendship, they drifted apart" suggests a gradual emotional separation.
"Apart" also teams up with "from." Often it means "except for" or "excluding": "Apart from the noise, I enjoyed the concert." Sometimes it can mean "separate from": "Apart from her family, she lives in the city." Context tells you which meaning is intended.
You'll often encounter it in phrases like "set apart," meaning to distinguish something as special or unique ("Her talent set her apart from the other students"), "take apart," meaning to disassemble ("He took the clock apart"), or "fall apart," which describes something breaking into pieces ("The old book began to fall apart").
So, whether describing physical distance, emotional disconnection, or a simple exclusion, apart always points to a lack of connection—a space between things. It's a word that reminds us that sometimes, things are meant to be separate, and other times, separation is simply the result of time and change.
Examples
- 1
Physical distance
The chairs were placed far apart so everyone had more space.
- 2
Living separately
My parents have been living apart for almost a year.
- 3
Time gap
Their birthdays are only three days apart.
- 4
Disassembly
He took the radio apart to fix it.
- Patterntake X apart
separate it into pieces
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Breaking down
My old suitcase is starting to fall apart.
- Phrasefall apart
break into pieces or stop working well
- 6
Emotional reaction
She fell apart when she heard the news.
- Phrasefall apart
lose emotional control
- 7
Recognizing differences
I still can't tell the twins apart.
- Patterntell people apart
recognize who is who
- 8
Relationship change
We were close in high school, but we grew apart after college.
- Phrasegrow apart
slowly become less close
- 9
Exception
Apart from one small mistake, your presentation was excellent.
- Phraseapart from
except for
- 10
Distinctive quality
What sets her apart from the other candidates is her teaching experience.
- Patternset X apart from Y
make X seem different in a good or noticeable way
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- keep apart
- live apart
- stand apart
- drift apart
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- apartadjectiveadverb