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

The 90-day legislative session is more than halfway finished. —Ryan Nawrocki, Baltimore Sun, 10 Mar. 2025

Pour fruit mixture through a fine mesh strainer over a large punch bowl filled halfway with ice; discard any solids. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2025

Adjective

At the halfway point of Lady Gaga’s newest album, Mayhem, is a song that sounds like anything but the record’s title. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025

Education bills in the Indiana Statehouse drew scrutiny and controversy as the surviving bills head to the opposite chamber as the budget session reaches its halfway mark. —Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 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