halftone

noun

half·​tone ˈhaf-ˌtōn 

ˈhäf-

1

: half step sense 2

2

a

: any of the shades of gray between the darkest and the lightest parts of a photographic image

b(1)

: a photoengraving made from an image photographed through a screen and then etched so that the details of the image are reproduced in dots

(2)

: an image (such as one printed on an offset press or laser printer) that renders smooth variations of color in an original by means of dots assigned to areas of the image electronically

halftone adjective

Examples of halftone in a Sentence

using software to lighten the picture's halftones

Recent Examples on the Web

Other tools focus on image processing, such as converting photographs into engraving-ready files or generating halftone patterns without requiring advanced image editing skills. — New Atlas, 24 May 2026

The development of the halftone printing process created demand for a steady supply of images. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Mar. 2026

The magnification primes the eye to luxuriate in what was designed for disposability, with halftone dots expanding into visible texture. — Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026

By designing the halftone patterns carefully, the researchers can decide how the material behaves as a whole. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1636, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for halftone

• alone
• atone
• backbone
• bemoan
• bluestone
• breastbone
• brownstone
• capstone
• cheekbone
• condone
• curbstone
• cyclone

Kids Definition

halftone

noun

half·​tone ˈhaf-ˌtōn 

ˈhäf-

: a medium tint or tone in a painting, engraving, or photograph