impartial
gb/ɪmpˈɑɹʃəl/ us/ɪmpˈɑɹʃəl/
B2
English
~ 8700
pártatlan, elfogulatlan, tárgyilagos, objektív
B2
1
pártatlan
B2
elfogulatlan
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is impartial (in [situation])
The judge must remain impartial throughout the trial.
A bírónak pártatlannak kell maradnia a tárgyalás során.
As a parent, it's hard to be completely impartial when your children argue.
Szülőként nehéz teljesen pártatlannak lenni, amikor a gyerekeid veszekednek.
We asked an impartial colleague to help settle the dispute.
Journalists are expected to be impartial when reporting the news.
The referee was praised for being firm but impartial.
Learner examples
A good teacher is impartial to all students.
Egy jó tanár pártatlan minden diákkal szemben.
The manager tried to be impartial in the conflict.
A vezető megpróbált pártatlan lenni a konfliktusban.
We need an impartial person to make this decision.
It is important for a judge to be impartial.
She listened to both sides and gave an impartial answer.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"unpartial"* instead of *"impartial"*; the correct opposite of *"partial"* is *"impartial"*. Another common confusion is between *"impartial"* and *"partial"*: *"impartial"* means fair and not taking sides, while *"partial"* often means showing favor to one side.
Meaning
fair and not taking sides
Collocations
impartial judge
|impartial referee
|impartial advice
|impartial observer
|impartial mediator
|remain impartial
Synonyms
fair (More general and common; does not always emphasize avoiding bias between two sides.)
|
neutral (Focuses on not choosing a side, often in conflicts or arguments; slightly less about justice or fairness.)
|
unbiased (Very close in meaning; stresses not being influenced by personal opinions or feelings.)
Antonyms
biased (Shows unfair preference for one side or person.)
|
partisan (Strongly supports one side, especially in politics or arguments.)
|
prejudiced (Unfairly dislikes or favors a group or person, often based on stereotypes.)
Themes
ethics
|law
|workplace
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not supporting one person or side more than another; fair to everyone.
Treating all people or sides fairly, without showing favor, bias, or prejudice.
B2
2
tárgyilagos
B2
objektív
B2
Usage pattern:
an impartial [decision/report/inquiry/process]
The committee promised an impartial investigation into the complaints.
A bizottság pártatlan vizsgálatot ígért a panaszok ügyében.
We need an impartial review of the data before changing our policy.
Mielőtt változtatnánk a szabályzatunkon, a daták tárgyilagos áttekintésére van szükségünk.
The report was praised for its clear structure and impartial tone.
An impartial process for hiring staff helps avoid discrimination.
International observers monitored the election to ensure it was free and impartial.
Learner examples
The company ordered an impartial report on safety.
A cég tárgyilagos jelentést rendelt a biztonságról.
We want an impartial decision about the new rules.
Azt szeretnénk, hogy a döntés a új szabályokról tárgyilagos legyen.
An impartial investigation will look at all the facts.
They asked an outside group to do an impartial review.
People trusted the results because the test was impartial.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse *"impartial"* where *"neutral"* or *"balanced"* is more natural, especially in everyday talk. *"Impartial"* is often used for formal processes, reports, or decisions, especially where fairness is important.
Meaning
objective and unbiased (of things)
Collocations
impartial inquiry
|impartial investigation
|impartial decision
|impartial report
|impartial review
|impartial process
Synonyms
objective (Stresses relying on facts rather than feelings; very close in meaning in formal or academic contexts.)
|
even-handed (More informal; emphasizes treating all sides or options equally when making decisions.)
|
dispassionate (Highlights freedom from strong emotion when judging or deciding.)
Antonyms
one-sided (Describes decisions or reports that only consider or favor one side.)
|
subjective (Describes judgments strongly shaped by personal opinions or feelings.)
|
skewed (Informally describes things that are twisted or distorted in favor of one side.)
Themes
law
|business
|politics
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Describing a decision or report that uses facts and rules and is not influenced by what someone personally likes or wants.
Describing a decision, process, report, or system that is based only on facts, evidence, or agreed rules, and is not influenced by personal feelings or interests.
Grammar
Dictionary form
impartial
IPA
GB/ɪmpˈɑɹʃəl/
US/ɪmpˈɑɹʃəl/
Syllables & stress
im - par - tial (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (par)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: impartial
Word family
Core family
impartiality
noun
impartially
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
partial
adjective B1
Expressions
an impartial jury
1/ən ɪmpˈɑɹʃəl d͡ʒˈʊɹi/
fixed phrase
formal
fair group deciding in court
A group of people in a court who listen to a case and make a decision without favoring either side.
Examples
- The defendant has the right to an impartial jury.
- Finding an impartial jury can be difficult in very famous cases.
an impartial observer
1/ən ɪmpˈɑɹʃəl əbzˈɚvɚ/
fixed phrase
neutral person watching events
A person who looks at a situation and does not support any side, so their opinion is fair.
Examples
- From the view of an impartial observer, both teams made mistakes.
- We asked an impartial observer to tell us what really happened.
remain impartial
1/ɹɪmˈeɪn ɪmpˈɑɹʃəl/
fixed phrase
continue not taking sides
To keep not supporting any side or person in a situation, even when it is difficult.
Examples
- Teachers must remain impartial when students disagree.
- It can be hard to remain impartial when your friends are involved in a conflict.
- Journalists should remain impartial, even when they have strong personal opinions.