to some degree — to a certain extent, but not completely; partially
Part of speech: ADVERB
Definition: to a certain extent, but not completely; partially
Pronunciation (IPA): /tə sʌm dɪˈɡriː/
Example Sentences
- The teacher said my essay was good to some degree, which basically means it's not good.
- To some degree, I understand why my cat ignores me — I'd ignore myself too.
- The experiment's success depended, to some degree, on the accuracy of the initial measurements.
to some degree
ADVERB[/tə sʌm dɪˈɡriː/]
to a certain extent, but not completely; partially
The soup is spicy to some degree, but she can still enjoy it.
TO (reaching) + SOME + DEGREE (notch on a scale) — by turning the stove dial TO SOME DEGREE on the dial, the cook warmed the soup gently.
Without an antique royal pedigree or an official quality guarantee, the carved oak chair proved comfortable to some degree.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word 'degree' derives from Latin 'gradus', meaning 'step', 'pace', or 'stage'. Originally used to describe measuring something in incremental stages, the phrase 'to some degree' evolved to mean 'to a certain extent' or 'partially'—expressing an incomplete or qualified measure of something.
Breakdown
de- (down, completely) + gradus (step, stage) → degree (extent, measure) → to some degree (to a certain extent, partially). The prefix de- combined with the Latin root gradus to form the concept of descending or measuring by degrees.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The teacher said my essay was good to some degree, which basically means it's not good.”
“To some degree, I understand why my cat ignores me — I'd ignore myself too.”
“The experiment's success depended, to some degree, on the accuracy of the initial measurements.”
“To some degree, everyone lies to make conversations smoother.”
“I trust him to some degree, but I still lock my door when he visits.”
📚Related Words
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