half

hæf

hāf

/hɑːf/

Definition & Meaning of "half"in English

half

ADVERB

to the extent of one part out of two equal portions

Examples

She cut the sandwich half and gave me a piece.

to a partial or limited extent

fairly

in part

kind of

middling

moderately

Examples

The door was left half open during the storm.

2.1

by any means, often used with negatives or ironic emphasis

any

at all

in the least

remotely

anywhere

Examples

That movie was n't half boring, I actually enjoyed it.

Half

NOUN

either one of two equal parts of a thing

mediety

moiety

one-half

Examples

I ate a sandwich and a half for lunch.

1.1

a period of thirty minutes, used to denote time

half-hour

half

Examples

The train leaves at half past six.

the midpoint of the allotted time in a sports game or performance

halftime

Examples

The coach gave a fiery speech during the half.

2.1

one of the two equal parts of the playing area in team sports

Examples

The ball stayed in their half for most of the game.

2.2

a midfield player in sports like rugby, soccer, or field hockey

halfback

half

Examples

The halves controlled the game with precise passing.

2.3

(golf) a score that ties with an opponent on a given hole

Examples

He secured a half after making a tough putt.

a spouse or romantic partner

significant other

Humorous

Informal

Examples

I 'll check with my half before confirming.

a half-pint of beer or other drink

Dialect

British

Informal

Examples

He ordered a half while waiting for his friends.

a child's fare or ticket, typically cheaper than an adult's

Dialect

British

Examples

We bought two adults and one half for the train.

half

DETERMINER

an amount equal to one of two equal parts

Examples

We spent half the day cleaning.

1.1

an amount considered roughly or approximately as 50% of the whole

Examples

Half the guests left early.

to half

VERB

to divide into two equal parts

bisect

Old use

Examples

He did half the spoils ere sharing them with his kin.

(golf) to tie a hole by scoring the same number of strokes as one's opponent

Examples

She putted cleanly to half on the fifth.

half

PRONOUN

one of two equal parts of something

Examples

Half was eaten before we even sat down.

1.1

a portion estimated or understood to be roughly 50% of the whole

Examples

Only half showed up to the meeting.

half

ADJECTIVE

being one of two equal parts of a whole

Examples

He offered me a half sandwich to tide me over until dinner.

1.1

falling short of being complete or entire

half

partial

Examples

He gave her a half apology that did n't sound sincere.

covering or extending over only one of two equal parts

Examples

He wore a half mask to the masquerade.

(of a sibling) sharing only one biological parent

Examples

He grew up with his half sister from his mother's second marriage.

3.1

(of a relative) related through one common grandparent or ancestor rather than two

Examples

Her half uncle visited for the holidays.

Nearby Words

half a loaf is better than no bread

Definition & Meaning of "half"in English

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