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half

half

671 1.0
One of two equal parts of a game or match
  • noun
  • /hæf/
: mitad
  • The negative coefficient indicates that teams leading at half-time were more likely to win the contest.
  • second half
  • first half
  • last half

The game's on maybe half time at the earliest.

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Examples

  • Teams leading at the half were far more likely to win than those that were behind.

    Academic text (1999)
  • After a strong first half, the team made several adjustments during the break to improve their game.

  • Good first half, good first half, big out there it is.

  • No, Yeah, that was you poor first half, but he was poor first half.

  • What did you think of the first half after I was asleep?

  • Late in the game's first half, Zack tackled a runner rushing toward the end zone.

    Academic text (2011)
  • In soccer, the teams went into the locker rooms at the end of the half to discuss their strategies.

  • The audience was eager to see the second half of the performance after the intermission.

Synonyms

one-half
vshalf
61 1.0

One of two equal parts of something

refers specifically to a timed game segment not any equal part
3.6

A set time in a game or match when the action continues

refers to a specific one of two equal timed intervals in such games

Idioms

not half bad
  • Informal
14 7.4

Better than you expected

the half of it
  • Informal
13 6.5

Only part of the story is known, with much more hidden

At a cost that is half the usual amount

half a mind
  • Informal
5 7.5

A feeling of wanting to do something but not being sure

4 8.1

To act or speak without thinking first and cause problems

glass half-empty
  • Informal
2 6.5

A person who often sees the negative side of things

Acting too smart so it annoys other people and causes problems

To focus on the good parts of a situation instead of the bad

1 9.2

To act too quickly without thinking first

half an ear
  • Informal
1 7.1

To listen without giving full attention

1 5.2

Served on the bottom shell only without the top shell

A very good deal that is worth more than its low price

Everywhere in a hurried, messy way like people searching quickly

half a head
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who is foolish and lacks common sense

half an eye
  • Informal
8.8

To notice or understand what is happening with little attention

half pregnant
  • Informal
9.8

Only a full decision is possible, with no room for partial support

To take a very long time and cause a lot of trouble

Two choices that are almost the same and make no real difference

Compounds

395 1.0

A period of thirty minutes

160 1.6

The later part of a game after halftime

126 1.0

The first period of a game when play is split into two equal parts

121 1.0

A group of six people or things

A time that lasts 90 minutes

61 1.0

One of two equal parts of something

48 1.0

A distance equal to half a mile, about 800 metres

46 2.1

A brother who has only one parent in common with you

half-naked
  • NSFW
40 3.0

Wearing only a few clothes with much of the body uncovered

37 1.0

A group of six things or people

33 3.0

A period of fifty years

30 1.0

Six things or people that form a group

28 1.1

Available for half the usual price

half-breed
  • Slur
24 9.9

An offensive word for a person with one Indigenous and one European parent

19 2.3

A sister who shares one parent with you but not both parents

16 6.7

A statement that is partly true but leaves out important facts to mislead

16 1.1

A sister who shares one parent with you but not both

half-wit
  • Offensive
15 8.9

A rude word for a person who seems very stupid

better half
  • Informal
14 3.3

A person someone is married to or lives with, said in a friendly, joking way

half-life
  • Specialized
14 5.6

Time it takes for a substance to drop to half its original amount

11 3.0

The person you love and share your life with

half-baked
  • Informal
11 6.5

Not fully planned or sensible

9 3.2

The middle area of a basketball court near the center line

7 1.0

A weight equal to eight ounces

half-staff
  • Formal
7 7.1

A position partway down a flagpole where a flag flies to show respect after a death

6 3.4

Only partly finished and not ready to use

Pay equal to one and a half times the normal rate for overtime work

5 2.0

A mix of milk and cream often added to coffee

5 3.8

A flag placed partway down its pole to show mourning or respect

4 6.7

A soft dim glow when things are only partly seen, like at dawn or dusk

4 1.4

The later part of a game or match after the break

4 3.2

Working or happening for only half the usual hours

half step
  • Specialized
3 4.4

The smallest jump between two notes in Western music, one piano key apart

3 1.4

A United States coin worth fifty cents

3 4.6

A shell cut in half that serves as a dish for oysters or clams

3 3.1

Measuring half the usual size

glass-half-full
  • Informal
3 5.8

Seeing the good side of things

1 2.5

One of two equal parts of a printed sheet used for text or an ad

1 9.3

An animal with only one purebred parent

half hitch
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A simple knot that holds a rope by looping its end around an object

half nelson
  • Jargon
1 7.4

A wrestling hold where one arm goes under the opponent's arm and presses the back of the neck

1 7.8

Very frightened or upset and not thinking clearly

1 2.6

A time when half of the Moon appears lit by the Sun

1 2.1

A short school holiday about halfway through a term

half-track
  • Specialized
1 8.3

A military vehicle with front wheels and back tracks for rough ground

1 9.6

A very short time, like a few moments

half gainer
  • Specialized
1 9.0

A dive in which a diver jumps forward and does a half backward flip to enter facing the board

1 4.6

Wearing only some clothes and showing parts of the body

half-pay
  • Archaic
1 7.0

A smaller amount of money given to a worker who is not working full time but is still employed

1 4.1

A day when people do not work for half the usual time

1 2.6

A small glass of drink about half the size of a pint, often for beer or milk

1 6.3

A short piece of underwear worn under a skirt to help it hang smoothly and stop it showing through

1 5.1

A remark that is partly a joke and partly serious

1 4.0

A mask that covers the upper part of the face, leaves the mouth visible, and has holes for the eyes

1 3.4

A short boot that covers the ankle and lower calf, reaching halfway to the knee

half crown
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A former British coin worth two shillings and sixpence

1 4.9

An outside door split into top and bottom parts that open separately

half note
  • Specialized
1 3.6

A musical note that lasts for two beats in common time

Divided equally between two people

half-caste
  • Slur
1 9.9

A hurtful word for a person of mixed race

1 3.6

Happens every thirty minutes

half-timbered
  • Specialized
1 8.2

A building with visible wooden frames and walls filled with brick or plaster

hell's half acre
  • Informal
1 9.9

A large messy area that is hard to search or manage

9.8

A number that shows how similar scores are between two random halves of a test

A group of seven items, often baked goods

A small axe that has one flat side for hammering and one sharp side for chopping wood

half binding
  • Specialized
9.5

A way of covering a book with the spine in one material and the covers in another

A person who shares only one parent with a brother or sister

half cross stitch
  • Specialized
7.2

A single slanted needle movement that makes part of a cross shape in embroidery

half eagle
  • Archaic
9.9

A former United States gold coin worth five dollars

A tennis shot played just after the ball bounces

A salad dressing made from equal parts mayonnaise and vinaigrette with garlic and cheese

5.1

A weak reason someone gives to avoid blame

How Long

season
∞ 1.0
match
517 1.4
half
671 1.0
moment
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

half singular
halves plural

Etymology

Half comes from an old German word healf meaning 'one of two'. In many sports a game is split into two main parts, so each period is called a 'half'. That's why we say 'first half' and 'second half'.