Other forms: halves; halfs
When something is divided into two equal sections, half is one of the two parts. You can split a brownie in half if you want to share it with your friend.
You might live half the year in Alaska and half in Florida — in this case, you spend six months, one half of a 12-month period, in each state. You can also divide food in half or save half your paycheck each week, while spending the other half. Your half brother is a sibling who shares one of your parents; you and he might have the same mother but different fathers. In Old English, half means "side" or "part."
Definitions of half
noun
one of two equal parts of a divisible whole
“half a loaf”
“half an hour”
“a century and one half”
synonyms:one-half
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types:
fifty percent
a half expressed as a percentage
mediety, moiety
one of two (approximately) equal parts
type of:
common fraction, simple fraction
the quotient of two integers
noun
one of two divisions into which some games or performances are divided: the two divisions are separated by an interval
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types:
first half
the first of two halves of play
last half, second half
the second of two halves of play
type of:
division, part, section
one of the portions into which something is regarded as divided and which together constitute a whole
adjective
partial
“gave me a half smile”
“he did only a half job”
synonyms:
incomplete, uncomplete
not complete or total; not completed
adjective
consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity
“a half chicken”
“lasted a half hour”
synonyms:
fractional
constituting or comprising a part or fraction of a possible whole or entirety
adjective
(of siblings) related through one parent only
“a half brother”
“half sister”
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antonyms:
whole
(of siblings) having the same parents
adverb
partially or to the extent of a half
“he was half hidden by the bushes”
Pronunciation
US
/hæf/
UK
/hɑf/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘half'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family
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