half
half
hæf
hāf
half
01

to the extent of one part out of two equal portions 

half definition and meaning
Grammatical Information
Examples
She cut the sandwich half and gave me a piece. 
Examples
The door was left half open during the storm. 
2.1

by any means, often used with negatives or ironic emphasis 

Examples
That movie wasn't half boring, I actually enjoyed it. 
Half
01

either one of two equal parts of a thing 

half definition and meaning
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Inanimate
Composition
Simple
Countable
Plural form
halves
Examples
I ate a sandwich and a half for lunch. 
1.1

a period of thirty minutes, used to denote time 

Examples
The train leaves at half past six. 
02

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

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 

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. 
03

a spouse or romantic partner 

Humorous
Informal
Examples
I'll check with my half before confirming. 
04

a half-pint of beer or other drink 

Dialectbritish flagBritish
Informal
Examples
He ordered a half while waiting for his friends. 
05

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

Dialectbritish flagBritish
Examples
We bought two adults and one half for the train. 
01

an amount equal to one of two equal parts 

half definition and meaning
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
01

to divide into two equal parts 

to half definition and meaning
Old use
Examples
He did half the spoils ere sharing them with his kin. 
02

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

Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
Action verb
Regular
Present tense
half
3rd person singular
halves
Present participle
halving
Past simple
halved
Past participle
halved
Examples
She putted cleanly to half on the fifth. 
01

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. 
01

being one of two equal parts of a whole 

Grammatical Information
Composition
Simple
qualitative
ungradable
Examples
He offered me a half sandwich to tide me over until dinner. 
1.1

falling short of being complete or entire 

Examples
He gave her a half apology that didn't sound sincere. 
02

covering or extending over only one of two equal parts 

Examples
He wore a half mask to the masquerade. 
03

(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. 
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