half

Meanings

Adjective

• Consisting of a half (½, 50%).
• Consisting of some indefinite portion resembling a half; approximately a half, whether more or less; partial; imperfect.
• Having one parent (rather than two) in common.
• Related through one common grandparent or ancestor rather than two.

Adverb

• In two equal parts or to an equal degree.
• In some part approximating a half.
• Partially; imperfectly.
• Practically, nearly.

Noun

• One of two usually roughly equal parts into which anything may be divided, or considered as divided.
• Half of a standard measure; frequently used for half a pint of beer or cider.
• The fraction obtained by dividing 1 by 2.
• Part; side; behalf.
• Any of the three terms at Eton College, for Michaelmas, Lent, and summer.
• A half sibling.
• A child ticket.

Verb

• To halve.

Interjection

• A call reminding performers that the performance will begin in thirty minutes.

Related

Similar words

• hemi-, semi-, demi-
• halfly (obsolete)
• ½

Origin

• From Middle English half, halfe from Old English healf; as a noun, 'half', 'side', 'part', from Proto-West Germanic *halb, from Proto-Germanic *halbaz;
• Akin to Old Saxon, Old Frisian, and Dutch half, West Frisian heal, German halb, Swedish, Danish and Norwegian halv, Icelandic hálfur and Gothic 𐌷𐌰𐌻𐌱𐍃. Compare halve, behalf.