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.

We walked half and then took a bus for the rest.

to a partial or limited extent

fairly

in part

kind of

middling

moderately

Examples

The door was left half open during the storm.

His explanation was half convincing at best.

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.

He is n't half clever when it comes to solving puzzles.

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.

I cut the cake into halves and gave her one half.

1.1

a period of thirty minutes, used to denote time

half-hour

half

Examples

The train leaves at half past six.

Let 's meet at a quarter to five, not at the half.

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

halftime

Examples

The coach gave a fiery speech during the half.

It was raining hard by the time the half ended.

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.

Defenders quickly retreated to their own half.

2.2

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

halfback

half

Examples

The halves controlled the game with precise passing.

Their new half has exceptional vision and footwork.

2.3

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

Examples

He secured a half after making a tough putt.

They settled for a half on the final hole.

a spouse or romantic partner

significant other

Humorous

Informal

Examples

I 'll check with my half before confirming.

His half could n't make it tonight.

a half-pint of beer or other drink

Dialect

British

Informal

Examples

He ordered a half while waiting for his friends.

Let 's start with a half and see how it goes.

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.

The ticket inspector asked if we had the right halves.

half

DETERMINER

an amount equal to one of two equal parts

Examples

We spent half the day cleaning.

She drank half the bottle of water.

1.1

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

Examples

Half the guests left early.

Half the students failed the exam.

to half

VERB

to divide into two equal parts

bisect

Old use

Examples

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

The servant halved the loaf and gave one part to the traveler.

(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.

He managed to half despite landing in the bunker.

half

PRONOUN

one of two equal parts of something

Examples

Half was eaten before we even sat down.

We divided the cake, and I took half.

1.1

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

Examples

Only half showed up to the meeting.

We tried calling everyone, but half did n't answer.

half

ADJECTIVE

being one of two equal parts of a whole

Examples

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

The recipe calls for a half cup of sugar.

1.1

falling short of being complete or entire

half

partial

Examples

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

She wore a half grin after hearing the news.

covering or extending over only one of two equal parts

Examples

He wore a half mask to the masquerade.

The house has a half wall between the kitchen and dining room.

(of a sibling) sharing only one biological parent

Examples

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

She finally met her half brother after years of separation.

3.1

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

Examples

Her half uncle visited for the holidays.

I met my half cousin at the reunion for the first time.

Nearby Words

half a loaf is better than no bread

Definition & Meaning of "half"in English

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