one of two equal or approximately equal parts of a divisible whole, as an object, or unit of measure or time; a part of a whole equal or almost equal to the remainder.
a quantity or amount equal to such a part (½).
Sports. either of two equal periods of play, usually with an intermission or rest period separating them.Compare quarter (def. 10).
one of two; a part of a pair.
Informal.
half dollar.
the sum of 50 cents: Four dimes and two nickels make a half.
Baseball. either of the two units of play into which an inning is divided, the visiting team batting in the first unit and the home team batting in the second.
Football. a halfback.
BritishInformal.
a half-crown coin.
the sum of a half crown; two shillings, sixpence.
a half pint: He ordered a half of ale.
adjective
being one of two equal or approximately equal parts of a divisible whole: a half quart.
being half or about half of anything in degree, amount, length, etc.: at half speed; half sleeve.
partial or incomplete: half measures.
adverb
in or to the extent or measure of half.
in part; partly; incompletely: half understood.
to some extent; almost: half recovered.
Idioms for half
by half, by very much; by far: She was too talented by half for her routine role.
half again as much / many, as much as 50 percent more: This mug holds half again as much coffee as the smaller one.
half in two, Southern U.S.(chiefly Gulf States). in or into two parts; in half: Cut the cake half in two.
in half, divided into halves: The vase broke in half.
not half,
not at all; not really: His first attempts at painting are not half bad.
half (def. 20).
not the half of, a significant yet relatively minor part of something that remains to be described in full: He accused them of being responsible for the error, and that's not the half of the story.Also not half of,not half.
Origin of half
before 900; Middle English; Old English h(e)alf; cognate with German Halb,Old Norse halfr,Gothic halbs
SYNONYMS FOR half
13 barely, somewhat, partially; sort of.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR half ON THESAURUS.COM
grammar notes for half
See well1.
Words nearby half
Hale telescope, Halevi, Halévy, Haley, Haley, Alex, half, half-a-crown, half-a-dollar, Half a loaf is better than none, half a mind, half-and-half
Do those things," he said, "and you'll have half a chance of being successful.
Streetwear pioneer, visionary entrepreneur, and community mentor Daymond John is honored with Hennessy Privilege Award|Hennessy|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
He had a selection on a long box-scrub siding of the ridges, about half a mile back and up from the coach road.
On the Track|Henry Lawson
Perhaps I was wrong to lose my temper and threaten him, but I am half mad.
An American Suffragette|Isaac N. Stevens
The morning after our departure was very foggy, and towards noon we had to slow down to less than half speed.
Under the Dragon Flag|James Allan
This time he did not regain his poise, but with a movement that seemed half a leap, half a fall, launched himself into mid-air.
Hour of Enchantment|Roy J. Snell
This class, Mr. C. supposes, embraces one half of the whole number transported from Africa.
Abolitionism Exposed!|W. W. Sleigh
British Dictionary definitions for half (1 of 2)
half
/ (hɑːf) /
nounpluralhalves (hɑːvz)
either of two equal or corresponding parts that together comprise a whole
a quantity equalling such a parthalf a dozen
half a pint, esp of beer
Scota small drink of spirits, esp whisky
sportthe half of the pitch regarded as belonging to one team
golfan equal score on a hole or round with an opponent
(in various games) either of two periods of play separated by an interval (the first half and second half)
a half-price ticket on a bus, train, etc
short for half-hour
short for halfpenny (def. 1)
sport short for halfback
obsoletea half-year period
better halfjoculara person's wife or husband
by halfby an excessive amount or to an excessive degreehe's too arrogant by half
by halves(used with a negative)without being thorough or exhaustivewe don't do things by halves
go halves (often foll by on, in, etc)
to share the expenses (of something with one other person)
to share the whole amount (of something with another person)to go halves on an orange
determiner
being a half or approximately a halfhalf the kingdom
(as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural)half of them came
adjective
not perfect or complete; partialhe only did a half job on it
adverb
to the amount or extent of a half
to a great amount or extent
partially; to an extent
half twoinformal30 minutes after two o'clock
have half a mind toto have the intention of
not halfinformal
not in any wayhe's not half clever enough
Britishreally; very; indeedhe isn't half stupid
certainly; yes, indeed
Other words from half
Related prefixes: bi-, demi-, hemi-, semi-
Word Origin for half
Old English healf; related to Old Norse halfr, Old High German halb, Dutch half