half

1 of 3

noun

ˈhaf How to pronounce half (audio)
ˈhäf
plural halves ˈhavz How to pronounce half (audio)
ˈhävz
1
a
: either of two equal parts that compose something
also : a part approximately equal to one of these
half the distance
the larger half of the fortune
b
: half an hour
used in designation of time
half past two
2
: one of a pair: such as
a
b
c
: either of the two equal periods that together make up the playing time of some games (such as football)
also : the midpoint in playing time
the score was tied at the half
3
4

half

2 of 3

adjective

1
a
: being one of two equal parts
a half share
a half sheet of paper
b(1)
: that is approximately equal to either of two equal parts that compose something : amounting to approximately half
a half mile
a half million
(2)
: falling short of the full or complete thing : partial
half measures
a half smile
2
: extending over one of two equal parts of something : covering only half
a half window
a half mask
halfness noun

half

3 of 3

adverb

1
a
: in an equal part or degree
the crowd was half jeering, half respectful
b
: not completely : partially
half persuaded
2
: by any means : at all
her singing isn't half bad
Phrases
by half
: by a great deal
too clever by half
by halves
: in part : half-heartedly
She never does things by halves.
half again as
: one-and-a-half times as
half again as many
in half
: into two equal or nearly equal parts
cut the apple in half

Examples of half in a Sentence

Noun She broke each cookie into halves. “Which half do you want?” “I'll take the smaller half.” Two halves make a whole. The team fell behind in the first half but rallied in the second half to win the game. “What's yours?” “A half of lager, please.” Adjective a half cup of coffee He owns a half share in the company. a half pound of cheese She looked at him with a shy half smile. Adverb The glass of water is half full. The crowd was half cheering and half jeering. The train departed at half past the hour. He was only half aware of what was happening. She had half persuaded me to stay. The door was half open. These eggs are only half cooked.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
The ports account for more than half of the nation's container imports, facilitating the transport of everything from toys to fresh fruit to nuclear reactors, JPMorgan senior equity analyst Brian Ossenbeck said in a report shared with ABC News. Max Zahn, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2024 This focus shifts into high gear in the latter half of the year as the holidays take center stage. Monica Gomez, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024
Adjective
First half goals from Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka were enough for the Gunners to pick up their first Champions League win of the season, but each came as the result of an error by the 25-year-old goalkeeper. Jamie Barton, CNN, 1 Oct. 2024 The Fed, satisfied with the progress against inflation and worried about the cooling job market, last month cut its benchmark rate by a hefty half percentage point, the central bank’s first and biggest rate cut since March 2020. Paul Wiseman, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2024
Adverb
Scientists Analyzed Thousands of Vocal Traits For this investigation, 607 adults — half diagnosed with diabetes and half without — were asked to provide a voice recording of themselves reading a few sentences directly from their smartphone or laptop. Don Rauf, EverydayHealth.com, 10 Sep. 2024 This is Ceramic Shield version 2 and is half as tough again as the original. David Phelan, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for half 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'half.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Adjective, and Adverb

Middle English, from Old English healf; akin to Old High German halb half

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of half was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near half

Cite this Entry

“Half.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half. Accessed 11 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

half

1 of 3 noun
ˈhaf How to pronounce half (audio)
ˈhȧf
plural halves ˈhavz How to pronounce half (audio)
ˈhȧvz
1
: one of two equal or nearly equal parts that make up something
half of an apple
2
: half an hour
half past ten
3
: one of a pair
especially : one of the two equal periods that make up the playing time of some games (as football)

half

2 of 3 adjective
1
: being one of two halves
a half sheet of paper
a half mile away
2
: of half the usual size or extent
a half smile

half

3 of 3 adverb
1
a
: to the extent of half
half full
b
: to some degree : not completely
half persuaded
2
: by any means : at all
the song wasn't half bad

More from Merriam-Webster on half

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