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

see also:

meet halfway

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

Now, as Thompson prepares to leave office before the end of this year, Kohberger’s push to withdraw his guilty plea in favor of a trial is ongoing and stands to outlive Thompson’s tenure halfway into his current term. — Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 7 Oct. 2026

Earlier test flights ventured no farther than the Indian Ocean halfway around the world, often crashing in flames and briefly skimming space. — Arkansas Online, 29 Sep. 2026

Adjective

The 24-year-old, like Gordon, who replaced him in the second half, offered energetic pressing, even sprinting from close to the halfway line to close down the goalkeeper at one point. — Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The 26-year-old information technology administrator consumed a Red Bull energy drink around the film's halfway mark to stay alert. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 July 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
• assez
• astray
• aue
• away
• ballet
• belay
• beltway

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