Definition

1. Noun:
   • A bias or inclination in favor of a particular person, group, side, or point of view over others, often in an unfair way. It refers to a lack of impartiality.
   • A particular liking or fondness for something. It refers to a personal preference or taste.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Bias):
  • The judge was accused of partiality toward the wealthy defendant.
  • Any partiality in the hiring process undermines the company's integrity.
• Noun (Liking):
  • She has a partiality for dark chocolate.
  • His partiality for classical music is well known among his friends.

Advanced Usage

• "to show partiality": to demonstrate bias or favoritism.
  • Managers must not show partiality when evaluating employee performance.
• "partiality towards/for": used to indicate the object of the bias or fondness.
  • His partiality towards his hometown team is obvious.
  • She has a partiality for spicy food.

Variants and Related Words

• Partial (adj): 1. Favoring one side over another; biased. 2. Not complete or total.
  • The report gives a partial view of the situation. (biased)
  • We received only partial payment. (not complete)
• Partially (adv): To some extent; not completely.
  • The project is partially finished.

Synonyms

• Bias, prejudice, favoritism (for the sense of unfair inclination).
• Fondness, liking, preference, penchant (for the sense of personal taste).

Antonyms

• Impartiality, fairness, neutrality, objectivity (for the sense of bias).
• Dislike, aversion, distaste (for the sense of fondness).

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Without fear or favor": impartially, without bias. (This phrase is often used to describe ideal judicial or official conduct, contrasting with partiality).
  • The committee must investigate the matter without fear or favor.

Noun

1. an inclination to favor one group or view or opinion over alternatives
2. a predisposition to like something
   • he had a fondness for whiskey