noun
/ˈhæf, Brit ˈhɑːf/ , pl halves /ˈhævz, Brit ˈhɑvz/
one of two equal or nearly equal parts into which something can be divided [count]
[count] :either of the two equal periods of playing time in sports like football and basketball
b the half :the time when the first half of a game ends
[count] Brit informal :half a pint of a drink (such as beer)
and a half
used in measurements of time, distance, weight, etc., to indicate one half of the unit of measurement
informal - used to say that something is very good, large, difficult, etc.
by halves
informal :in an incomplete way - used in negative statements to say that someone does things with a lot of energy and effort
go halves
also go half and half
to share the cost of something equally
in half
into two equal parts :into two halves
the half of it
informal - used to say that a situation is even worse than you think it is or than it seems to be
too&
chiefly Brit informal - used to say that someone or something has too much of a particular quality usually in a way that is annoying
pronoun
a number or amount that is equal to one half of a total
half the battle
have half a mind
adjective
always used before a noun
equal or nearly equal in size, value, amount, etc., to one half of something
not complete :partial
adverb
to an extent that is equal or nearly equal to half of something
not completely :to some degree :partially
half again as much/many (etc.) as
US or Brit half as much/many (etc.) again as - used to say that the size or amount of one thing is 50 percent more than another
half as big/much/good (etc.) as
used to say that the size, amount, or quality of one thing is half or nearly half that of another
half off
used to say that something is being sold at half the original price
not half
not nearly
Brit informal - used to emphasize a statement or description
not half bad
informal :surprisingly good