Definition

1. Adverb:

   • Separated by a distance or interval: Indicates that things or people are not together, either in space or time.
   • Into pieces or parts: Describes the action of separating something into its components.
   • Excluding from consideration: Used to set aside a particular factor or comment.

2. Adjective:

   • (Used after a noun) Separate or isolated: Describes someone or something as being distinct, different, or remote from others.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:

  • The two houses stood 50 meters apart. (They were separated by that distance.)
  • He took the engine apart to fix it. (He disassembled it into pieces.)
  • Apart from the cost, it's a great idea. (Setting aside the issue of cost.)

• Adjective (postpositive):

  • They are a community apart, with their own traditions. (They are a separate, distinct group.)
  • She felt apart from the others at the party. (She felt isolated or disconnected.)

Advanced Usage

• "to fall apart": to break into pieces; to disintegrate; (figuratively) to collapse emotionally or organizationally.

  • The old book fell apart in my hands.
  • After the stressful week, she felt like she was falling apart.

• "to tell apart": to distinguish between two or more similar things or people.

  • The twins are identical; I can't tell them apart.

• "worlds apart": completely different; having nothing in common.

  • Their opinions on politics are worlds apart.

Variants and Related Words

• Apartness (n): The state or quality of being separate or distinct.
  • There was a sense of apartness in his demeanor.

Synonyms

• Separately: as a separate entity; not together.
• Asunder: (literary) apart; into pieces.
• Isolated: far away from other places, buildings, or people; remote.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Set apart: to reserve for a special purpose; to make noticeable or different.

  • A room was set apart for meditation.
  • Her talent sets her apart from the other candidates.

• Take apart: to disassemble; to criticize someone or something severely.

  • He took the clock apart to clean it.
  • The critic took the new film apart in his review.

Related Idioms

• Joking/Jesting apart: used to show you are now being serious after making a joke.

  • Joking apart, we really need to finish this project.

• Poles apart: completely opposite in nature, opinion, etc.

  • The two political parties are poles apart on this issue.

Adjective

1. having characteristics not shared by others
   • scientists felt they were a group apart- Vannever Bush
2. remote and separate physically or socially
   • existed over the centuries as a world apart
   • preserved because they inhabited a place apart- W.H.Hudson
   • tiny isolated villages remote from centers of civilization
   • an obscure village

Adverb

1. into parts or pieces
   • he took his father's watch apart
   • split apart
   • torn asunder
2. one from the other
   • people can't tell the twins apart
3. placed or kept separate and distinct as for a purpose
   • had a feeling of being set apart
   • quality sets it apart
   • a day set aside for relaxing
4. away from another or others
   • they grew apart over the years
   • kept apart from the group out of shyness
   • decided to live apart
5. not taken into account or excluded from consideration
   • these problems apart, the country is doing well
   • all joking aside, I think you're crazy
6. separated or at a distance in place or position or time
   • These towns are many miles apart
   • stood with his legs apart
   • born two years apart