apart
gb/əpˈɑɹt/ us/əpˈɑɹt/
A2
English
~ 1100
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A2
relation
1
Separated by space or distance
Not close together; with space between.
Usage pattern:
[things] are [distance] apart
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'apart' with 'a part'. 'Apart' means separated, while 'a part' means a piece of something.
Synonyms
separately (Focuses on being in different places or not together, without specifying physical space.)
Antonyms
together (Indicates being in the same place or close to each other.)
Collocations
miles apart
|far apart
|stand apart
|keep apart
|set apart
Themes
daily life
|description
|core_vocabulary
|space
Examples
- The two houses are only fifty meters apart.
- They stood apart, avoiding eye contact.
- Her hands were held slightly apart.
Learner examples
- The chairs are far apart.
- My school is two kilometers apart from my home.
- We stood apart in the room.
adverb
B1
relation
2
Into separate pieces
Broken into pieces.
Usage pattern:
[something] comes/falls/tears apart
Synonyms
asunder (A more literary or old-fashioned word for 'apart' in this sense.)
Antonyms
together (In one piece or joined.)
Collocations
tear apart
|fall apart
|pull apart
Themes
daily life
|description
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- The old book fell apart in my hands.
- She took the toy apart to see how it worked.
- The explosion blew the car apart.
Learner examples
- My shoes are falling apart.
- He pulled the paper apart.
- The toy broke apart easily.
adverb
B1
relation
3
Not together in relationship or opinion
Not together as friends, family, or partners; thinking differently.
Synonyms
estranged (Specifically refers to a broken personal relationship, often formal.)
Antonyms
united (Together emotionally or in agreement.)
Collocations
grow apart
|drift apart
|live apart
Themes
relationships
|emotions
Examples
- They grew apart after moving to different cities.
- The debate has set the two communities apart.
- After years of marriage, they decided to live apart.
Learner examples
- We grew apart over time.
- They live apart now.
- Our ideas are far apart.
adverb
B2
relation
4
Separately from others
Seen on its own and not with other things.
Synonyms
individually (Focuses on considering each item alone.)
Antonyms
together (Considered as a group.)
Collocations
taken apart from
|considered apart
Themes
thinking
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- Taken apart from its context, the quote sounds harsh.
- Apart from her singing, she is also a skilled dancer.
- Viewed apart from the rest of his work, this painting is very unusual.
Learner examples
- Apart from this book, I have many others.
- We looked at the problem apart from the main plan.
- Apart from the rain, it was a nice day.
Grammar
Dictionary form
apart
IPA
GB/əpˈɑɹt/
US/əpˈɑɹt/
Syllables & stress
apart (1 syllable)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: apart
- Plural: aparts
Word family
Forms
aparts
noun
Core family
separate
adjective A2
separately
adverb B1
Related words
separation
noun B1
part
noun A2
Negative and opposite forms
together
adverb A1
Expressions
apart from
1/əpˈɑɹt fɹˈʌm/
fixed phrase
Except for; besides
Used to talk about something that is not included or to add extra information.
Examples
- Apart from a few minor problems, the project went well.
- Apart from John, everyone was on time.
set apart
1/sˈɛt əpˈɑɹt/
phrasal verb
Make different and special
To make someone or something seem different from others in a good way.
Examples
- Her unique voice sets her apart from other singers.
- What sets this hotel apart is its excellent service.
grow apart
1/ɡɹˈoʊ əpˈɑɹt/
phrasal verb
Become less close over time
To slowly stop being as close to someone as before.
Examples
- We were best friends in school but grew apart after graduation.
- We were best friends in school, but we grew apart after college.
- They grew apart as their interests changed.
- They grew apart after years of living in different countries.
tear apart
1/tˈɛɹ əpˈɑɹt/
phrasal verb
Pull into pieces or upset deeply
To break something into pieces OR to cause someone great sadness or pain.
Examples
- The dog tore the newspaper apart.
- The explosion tore apart several buildings.
- The critics tore his new book apart.
- The news tore her apart emotionally.
fall apart
1/fˈɔl əpˈɑɹt/
phrasal verb
Break into pieces or fail completely
To break into pieces or stop working well; also to become very upset emotionally.
Examples
- The chair fell apart when I sat on it.
- The old book is falling apart at the spine.
- The old book was so worn that it fell apart in my hands.
- She fell apart after hearing the bad news.
- After her divorce, she started to fall apart emotionally.
- After years of stress, their marriage finally fell apart.