half
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.
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.
British Informal.
a half-crown coin.
the sum of a half crown; two shillings, sixpence.
a half pint: He ordered a half of ale.
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.
in or to the extent or measure of half.
in part; partly; incompletely: half understood.
to some extent; almost: half recovered.
Idioms about 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.
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
1Grammar notes for half
Other words for half
13 | barely, somewhat, partially; sort of |
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for half (1 of 2)
/ (hɑːf) /
either of two equal or corresponding parts that together comprise a whole
a quantity equalling such a part: half a dozen
half a pint, esp of beer
Scot a small drink of spirits, esp whisky
sport the half of the pitch regarded as belonging to one team
golf an 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
obsolete a half-year period
better half jocular a person's wife or husband
by half by an excessive amount or to an excessive degree: he's too arrogant by half
by halves (used with a negative) without being thorough or exhaustive: we 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
being a half or approximately a half: half the kingdom
(as pronoun; functioning as sing or plural): half of them came
not perfect or complete; partial: he only did a half job on it
to the amount or extent of a half
to a great amount or extent
partially; to an extent
half two informal 30 minutes after two o'clock
have half a mind to to have the intention of
not half informal
not in any way: he's not half clever enough
British really; very; indeed: he isn't half stupid
certainly; yes, indeed
Origin of half
1Other words from half
- Related prefixes: bi-, demi-, hemi-, semi-
British Dictionary definitions for half- (2 of 2)
one of two equal parts: half-moon
related by one parent only: half-sister
not completely; partly: half-hardy
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with half
In addition to the idioms beginning with half
- half a heart, with
- half a loaf is better than none
- half a mind
- half of it
- half the battle
also see:
- at half-mast
- better half
- by half
- glass is half full
- go halfway
- go off (half-cocked)
- in half
- not bad (half bad)
- six of one, half dozen of the other
- time and a half
- with half an eye
Also see underhalfwayhalves.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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