halfway

1 of 2

adverb

half·​way ˈhaf-ˈwā 

ˈhäf-

: midway between two points

At length the cat steps halfway out the door, showing his spotted brown coat and the stripes on his legs.

—Paul Comstock

halfway

2 of 2

adjective

1

: midway between two points

at the halfway point/mark

2

: partial

a halfway solution

Synonyms of halfway

Adjective

• incomplete
• half
• partial
• deficient

Examples of halfway in a Sentence

Adjective

She was leading at the halfway mark of the race.

We're halfway toward completing the project.

They're only offering halfway measures, not a real solution.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Libra September 23 – October 22 Meeting people halfway shouldn’t involve giving up your genuine needs. —Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026

There is inward-looking anger in Thompson’s voice, halfway between rebuke and lament. —Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 7 Feb. 2026

Adjective

Always falling on February 2nd—the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox—people all over the world wait with bated breath to find out if Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow. —Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 31 Jan. 2026

The Indiana legislative session has almost reached the halfway point with major bills advancing at quick pace this week and shifting from one chamber to the other for consideration. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English half wey, from half half entry 2 + wey way entry 1

Adjective

derivative of halfway entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing halfway

• halfway around/across the world
• halfway decent
• halfway house
• halfway through
• meet halfway

Rhymes for halfway

• airway
• allay
• archway
• array
• ashtray
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway
• beret

Kids Definition

halfway

adjective

half·​way -ˈwā 

1

: midway between two points

stop at the halfway mark

2

: partial sense 3

halfway measures

halfway adverb