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

Adjective

• deficient
• fragmental
• fragmentary
• half
• incomplete
• partial

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

In Africa, qualifying is about halfway finished and continues this weekend. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 21 Mar. 2025

Slowly lower your jaw halfway while keeping your tongue in place, then close your mouth. —Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025

Adjective

Today is the halfway point of the annual Sunshine Week, to promote openness and transparency in government nationwide. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 19 Mar. 2025

With the season now having hit its halfway point, with only four more episodes to go, here are some of the questions that The White Lotus' legion of die-hard fans desperately want answered. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 14 Mar. 2025

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