apart
adverb
UK/əˈpɑːt/US/əˈpɑrt/
In addition; besides.
Example Sentences
Apart from his regular job, he also volunteers at the local shelter.
They have other expenses apart from rent and utilities.
Apart from the weather, the trip was enjoyable.
She is talented apart from her proficiency in multiple languages.
Apart from a few minor issues, the project was successful.
They need to consider factors apart from cost when planning the event.
Apart from the main course, the restaurant offers a variety of desserts.
He is kind apart from being a bit forgetful.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
Indicates separation, difference, or independence in position or perspective.“Apart” generally functions as an adverb or preposition highlighting that something is separate or at a distance. For example, in physical space, you might say, “Keep these items apart,” meaning they should not be mixed or placed close together. Similarly, “We live two miles apart” underscores physical distance between homes. In a figurative sense, “apart” can emphasize distinct qualities or independent identities. For instance, “Her approach sets her apart from other artists” signals how her style is unique. In discussions of time or organization, “apart” denotes dividing elements: “Let’s break the project apart into manageable tasks.” It also surfaces in phrases like “take apart,” signifying disassembly—physically removing parts to examine or fix them—and “fall apart,” indicating something disintegrating emotionally or structurally. When you want to signal clarity in writing or speech, “apart” helps listeners and readers recognize distinctions. You might explain, “We want to stand apart from our competitors,” suggesting a deliberate effort to be unique. Or you can note, “There’s just a minor detail that sets us apart,” spotlighting a subtle difference. In daily interactions, “apart” keeps things delineated, shows independence, or underscores that something is removed from its usual group or context.Grammatically, ensure “apart” appears where it clarifies separation. For instance, “apart from” often introduces exceptions: “Apart from the cost, this plan looks excellent.” Meanwhile, “a part” (two words) changes meaning entirely: “You are a part of this team.” By mastering “apart,” you communicate distance or distinction—physically, conceptually, or even emotionally—whenever you need to show that something stands alone, is distanced, or is differentiated from a broader whole.
Alternatives
In place of “apart,” you can choose synonyms or related expressions based on the nuance you need:• “Separate” or “separately” – Emphasizes not being joined or done together, as in “Handle these files separately” or “Keep them separate.” • “Aside” – Suggests putting something to one side, whether physically or in conversation: “He set his concerns aside to focus on the meeting.” • “Away” – Implies distance, frequently used in physical contexts: “Move the furniture away from the window.” • “Distanced” – Highlights emotional or physical removal, like “They remain distanced from the main group.” • “Isolated” – Suggests a pronounced separation, often describing a place or condition: “The cabin is isolated, far from any road.” • “Alone” – Conveys the idea of being solitary or without others: “He wanted to be alone with his thoughts.” If you need to show subtle differences, “set off” can emphasize distinction (e.g., “Her calm tone set her off from the rest”), while “distinct” highlights a noticeable variation in identity or appearance: “This design is distinct from earlier models.” When describing how something breaks down or how items are categorized, “broken down into parts” or “fragmented” can also capture that sense of separation. Each term or phrase zeroes in on how, why, or to what degree something is set apart. Choose carefully to reflect the precise nature of distance or uniqueness—be it physical, emotional, or conceptual. By varying your language, you can communicate everything from moderate detachment (“set aside”) to strong removal (“isolated”).
Writing
In formal or creative writing, “apart” serves multiple functions, each giving insight into distance, distinction, or independence. You might illustrate how a character’s beliefs set them apart from peers, indicating a more meaningful separation than mere physical space. This approach is particularly effective for describing individuals who deviate from social norms or take an unorthodox path, reinforcing tension or intrigue.When discussing contrasting data or viewpoints, “apart from” effectively introduces exceptions or exclusions: “Apart from a minor discrepancy, the results align well.” In technical or academic texts, this phrase pinpoints areas requiring special attention or indicates a nearly universal rule. For instance, a research paper may note, “Apart from the outliers in our sample, the trend remains consistent.” Such usage clarifies precisely what doesn’t fit into the main argument, streamlining communication.Should you craft a more narrative-driven piece—like historical fiction or an introspective essay—“apart” can highlight emotional or cultural rifts. For example, “They grew up continents apart,” signals profound geographical and experiential distance. Similarly, “Her ambitions set her apart” conveys how an individual diverges from a common life trajectory. These nuances establish tone, guiding readers to perceive relationships, contrasts, or boundaries. By weaving “apart” into your descriptions, you accent differences, spaces, or exclusions crucial to your text’s depth. The term ensures your readers envision divisions—be they physical divides in a setting or figurative separations in identity—enlivening your content with clarity and specificity.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “apart” helps maintain a laid-back, clear tone. You might say, “We’re only a block apart,” to note your physical closeness or “We’re years apart in age,” to highlight a generation gap. Such usage keeps dialogues direct and easy to follow. When clarifying distinctions, you might remark, “Putting style aside, their cooking is top-notch,” leveraging “apart” to bracket off certain traits.You might also use “apart” to express emotional or social distance: “We’ve grown apart over time,” a common phrase for evolving friendships. Someone planning a group event might suggest, “Let’s keep the kids’ table apart from the adults,” ensuring that each group can chat freely. If you’re brainstorming gift ideas or personal errands, you can mention, “Apart from groceries, we still need decorations.” This everyday approach to “apart” underscores separation, difference, or exemption without sounding formal.In casual gatherings or texting, “apart” can also serve playful or comedic lines, like “He’s so set apart in his taste—he still only listens to cassettes!” letting you gently highlight quirks or unique preferences. Adopting this friendly tone ensures your conversation flows naturally, keeping “apart” an accessible way to articulate distinctions or designate boundaries within casual chat. Overall, among friends or family, “apart” threads everyday references to distance—physical, emotional, or categorical—into easy, non-technical communication, bridging personal details and subtle differences in an effortless manner.
Etymology
The word “apart” fuses two Old French elements, “a” (meaning “to”) and “part” (meaning “division” or “portion”), which derive ultimately from Latin roots. The Latin “ad partem” translates to “to (or toward) a piece,” capturing how something is separated or set aside from a whole. Over centuries, the term adopted multiple layers of meaning—ranging from literal spatial separation (“stand apart from the crowd”) to abstract differentiation (“apart in opinion from the majority”). As Middle English evolved, forms like “aparte” or “a parte” signified a sense of “at a distance” or “in a distinct manner,” merging into the modern single-word form “apart.” With the growth of printing and literature, “apart” became widely standardized, used to portray everything from romantic separations across oceans to nuanced intellectual distinctions that set one argument “apart” from another. Throughout these linguistic shifts, the core essence remains consistent: “apart” deals with being away from something else—whether physically, conceptually, or relationally. This historical background highlights how early notions of “dividing into pieces” have broadened, letting us convey subtle or overt separations in countless contexts, from architecture (separate wings of a building) to cultural identity (unique traditions setting a community apart). Every time we say “apart,” we echo the centuries-old idea of drawing lines that differentiate or distance a person, place, or idea from the rest.
