Pronunciations (9)
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/ˈhɑːf/
Pronunciation notes
- General-South-African
- Received-Pronunciation
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/ˈhaːf/
Pronunciation notes
- Wales
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/ˈhäːf/
Pronunciation notes
- Australia
- New-Zealand
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/ˈhɐ̞ːf/
Pronunciation notes
- Australia
- New-Zealand
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/ˈhæf/
Pronunciation notes
- Canada
- General-American
- Ireland
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/ˈhɛə̯f/
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/ˈhaf/
Pronunciation notes
- Northern-England
- Scotland
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hɑːf
Pronunciation notes
- GB
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hæf
Pronunciation notes
- US
Noun
One of two usually roughly equal parts into which anything may be divided, or considered as divided.
- Examples
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I ate the smaller half of the apple.
You don’t know the half of it.
More examples (9)
Of the passengers on the plane, half were English.
The cake was delicious: half was vanilla and half was chocolate.
Half (of) my friends live abroad.
I’ve bought some chocolate. You can have half.
One and a half miles equals a mile and a half.
Not half his riches known, and yet despised.
I and he, / Brothers in Art; a friendship so complete / Portion'd in halves between us, […]
Both halves feature lyrics that are so teen-girly they sound like they were written in pink ink in a padlocked diary with hearts and frowny faces for punctuation.
The Biden administration finalized the first national standard to limit dangerous “forever chemicals” found in nearly half of the drinking water in the United States.
One of two usually roughly equal parts into which anything may be divided, or considered as divided. One of two equal periods into which a game is divided.
- Examples
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An association football match usually consists of two halves of 45 minutes each.
One of two usually roughly equal parts into which anything may be divided, or considered as divided. One of the two opposite parts of the playing field of various sports, in which each starts the game.
- Examples
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More examples (1)
However, the hosts hit back and hit back hard, first replacement hooker Andrew Hore sliding over, then Williams careering out of his own half and leaving several defenders for dead before flipping the ball to Nonu to finish off a scintillating move.
Half of a standard measure, chiefly: half a pint of beer or cider. (Refusing a pint) Just a half, thank you. (Offering to top up a pint glass) Do you want a half in that? (Minimizing the amount of drink taken) A swift half at the Pear Tree.
Usage- UK usage
- Examples
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He came back with a pint of Guinness for me and a half of bitter for Wendy.
I accepted a half of bitter from him.
More examples (1)
I went to the bar where I bought a pint and two large brandies. ... "Not brandy," she replied, "but I could use a long drink - maybe a half of lager."
Half of a standard measure, chiefly: A barrel measure of 27 gallons (half a hogshead).
- Examples
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Barrels came in firkins, nine gallons; kilderkins, eighteen gallons; halves, twenty-seven gallons; barrels, thirty-six gallons and hogsheads, fifty-four.
The fraction obtained by dividing 1 by 2.
- Examples
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Three-quarters minus a quarter is a half.
Any of the three terms at Eton College, for Michaelmas, Lent, and summer.
A half sibling.
Usage- Slang
- Examples
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So for Richard and Barbara, Jeff and Kari, the impossibly varied collection of steps and halves that is another legacy of my father.
A child ticket. Two and a half to Paddington.
Usage- UK usage
- Dated
abbreviated form for half marathon.
Adjective
Consisting of a half (½, 50%).
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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a half kilo
a half hour
More examples (2)
a half dollar
China's population density used to be half that of Britain.
Consisting of some indefinite portion resembling a half; approximately a half, whether more or less; partial; imperfect.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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a half truth
Assumed from thence a half-consent.
Having one parent (rather than two) in common.
Usage- not-comparable
- of a sibling
- Examples
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a half brother or half sister
Related through one common grandparent or ancestor rather than two.
Usage- not-comparable
- of a relative other than a sibling
- Examples
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a half uncle or half aunt or half cousin
Adverb
In two equal parts or to an equal degree.
Usage- not-comparable
In some part approximating a half.
Usage- not-comparable
Partially; imperfectly.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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half-colored
The task is only half done.
More examples (6)
I was half persuaded by your convincing argument.
The patient was half conscious and muttering a few words.
He does sometimes half wish to change his life, but it is too difficult.
Half loth and half consenting.
Their children spoke half in the speech of Ashdod.
I sometimes hold it half a sin To put in words the grief I feel; For words, like Nature, half reveal And half conceal the Soul within.
Practically, nearly.
Usage- not-comparable
- Examples
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To be a King, is halfe to bee a God.
Verb
To halve.
Usage- Transitive
Preposition
Half past; a half-hour (30 minutes) after the last hour.
Usage- Ireland
- UK usage
- Examples
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The time is 9:30; it is half nine.
A half-hour to (preceding) the next hour.
Usage- Rare
- Examples
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In some countries, "half seven" means 6:30.
Interjection
A call reminding performers that the performance will begin in thirty minutes.
Adjective
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
- Examples
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a half chicken
lasted a half hour
partial
- Examples
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gave me a half smile
he did only a half job
(of siblings) related through one parent only
- Antonyms
- Examples
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a half brother
half sister
Noun
one of two equal parts of a divisible whole
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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half a loaf
half an hour
More examples (1)
a century and one half
one of two divisions into which some games or performances are divided: the two divisions are separated by an interval
Adverb
partially or to the extent of a half
- Examples
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he was half hidden by the bushes