half

1 of 3

noun

ˈhaf How to pronounce half (audio)
ˈhäf
plural halves ˈhavz How to pronounce half (audio)
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
b
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
4

half

2 of 3

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 3

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
Phrases
by half
: by a great deal
too clever by half
by halves
: in part : half-heartedly
She never does things by halves.
half again as
: one-and-a-half times as
half again as many
in half
: into two equal or nearly equal parts
cut the apple in half

Examples of half in a Sentence

Noun 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
According to a report from AAA, a record of more than 119 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles during the second half of December. Joe Edwards, Newsweek, 23 Dec. 2024 Terry Ree, half of the Williams and Ree comedy and music duo along with Bruce Williams, has died. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Williamson’s narrative helped spur the spectacular growth of stories about white slavery around the world over the ensuing half century, even as the enslavement of Black people expanded in the American South. Gunther Peck / Made By History, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024 Many people have a significant imbalance of omega-6 to omega-3 in their bodies — a November 2015 study found levels of linoleic acid have increased by 136% in the fat tissue of Americans over the past half century. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 11 Dec. 2024
Adverb
With this fiscal year less than half over, Twitch-originated cash donations alone are about $500,000. William P. Barrett, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 Gefen’s favorite is his 1972 Saab Sonett, a coupe the color of a tangerine and whose motor roars—half ferociously, half pathetically—like a dying lion. Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for half 

Word History

Etymology

Noun, Adjective, and Adverb

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

First Known Use

Noun

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of half was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near half

Cite this Entry

“Half.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/half. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

half

1 of 3 noun
ˈhaf How to pronounce half (audio)
ˈhȧf
plural halves ˈhavz How to pronounce half (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on half

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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