half

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈhaf 

ˈhäf

plural halves ˈhavz 

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

: partner

b

: semester, term

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

: half-dollar

4

: halfback

see also:

by half by halves half again as in half

half

2 of 4

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 4

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

halfness

4 of 4

noun (2)

half·​ness

plural -es

: the quality or state of being half

Synonyms of half

Noun (1)

• part
• section
• moiety
• portion

Adjective

• incomplete
• partial
• deficient

Adverb

• ever
• at all

Examples of half in a Sentence

Noun (1)

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

Now, de la Espriella must govern a country where nearly half of the electorate voted against him. —John Boscawen, Miami Herald, 22 June 2026

Late in the second half of a 0-0 draw against Curaçao on Saturday at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium, the Ecuador forward extended his right foot in frustration and kicked the goalpost after watching all 15 of his team’s shots on goal come up empty. —Kellis Robinett, Kansas City Star, 21 June 2026

Adjective

But Emerald Bay is gate-guarded, accessible only to residents, and its half-mile stretch of golden sand is bordered by the cliffs of two jutting points, geographically cutting off public access via other beaches. —Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2026

That’s sparked complaints of Americanization of the games – essentially splitting the two 45-minute halves into four 22-and-a-half-minute quarters. —Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 23 June 2026

Adverb

The district is half Latino and one-quarter Black, according to Census data. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 23 June 2026

The leather sandals are half-off in red (my favorite), but sizes are very limited, so don’t wait to snag yours. —Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1), Adjective, and Adverb

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

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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

Phrases Containing half

• and a half
• at half strength
• better half
• by half
• go half and half
• go off at half cock
• go off half-cocked
• half a brain
• half a chance
• half a dozen
• half again as
• half again as much/many as
• half a minute/second
• half-and-half
• half an hour
• half as big/much/good as
• half asleep
• half as much/many again as
• half-baked
• half bath
• half-blood
• half-blooded
• half board
• half boot
• half-bound
• half-bred
• half brother
• half cock
• half-cocked
• half-court
• half crown
• half dead
• half dime
• half disme
• half-dollar
• half dozen
• half duplex
• half eagle
• half-glasses
• half-hardy
• half-hearted
• half hitch
• half hour
• half-knot
• half-length
• half-life
• half-light
• half line
• half-marathon
• half-mast
• half-moon
• half naked
• half nelson
• half note
• half off
• half past
• half-pint
• half-pipe
• half plane
• half-price
• half rest
• half shell
• half sister
• half-slip
• half-sole
• half someone's age
• half sovereign
• half-space
• half-staff
• half step
• half the battle
• half the story
• half the time
• half-timber
• half-timbered
• half-time
• half title
• half-track
• half-tracked
• half-truth
• half volley
• half-wit
• half-world
• have half a mind
• have/keep half an eye on
• how the other half lives
• in half
• it's six of one and half a dozen of the other
• it's six of one, half (a) dozen of the other
• listen with only half an ear
• not half
• not half bad
• on the half hour
• on the half shell
• other half
• shelter half
• the half
• the half of it
• time and a half
• too clever by half

Rhymes for half

• calf
• chaff
• gaff
• graf
• graff
• graph
• haff
• laugh
• raff
• staff
• staph
• autograph

Kids Definition

half

1 of 3 noun

ˈhaf 

ˈhȧf

plural halves ˈhavz 

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