half

noun, pronoun, predeterminer, adjective, adverb

/hɑːf/

/hæf/

Definition

A2 either of the two equal or nearly equal parts that together make up a whole: "What's half of 96?" "48." Roughly half (of) the class are Spanish and the others are a mixture of nationalities. Cut the apple in half/into halves (= into two equal parts). My little brother is half as tall as me/half my height. half a dozen (= six) eggs Half of me would just like to give it all up and travel around the world (= partly I would like to, but partly I would not). She was born in the latter half of the 18th century. The recipe tells you to use a pound and a half of butter.Fractions B2 informal a lot: She invited a lot of people to the party but half of them didn't turn up. I don't even know where she is half (of) the time.Large in number or quantity half past A1 Half past a particular hour is 30 minutes later than that hour: I'll meet you at half past nine (= 09.30 or 21.30).UK informal I'll meet you at half seven (= half past seven).Days and times of day B1 only partly: He answered the door half naked. I was half expecting to see her at the party. I'm half inclined to take the job just because it's in London. He was being funny but I think he was half serious. The bottle's half empty.Incomplete go halves informal › to divide the cost of something with someone: Shall we go halves on a bottle of champagne? I'll go halves with you on a bottle of champagne.Sharing half and half › equal amounts of two different things: "Do you use milk or cream in the recipe?" "Half and half."Fractions half as much again (US also half again as much) › 50 percent more of the existing number or amountAddition, subtraction, multiplication and divisionCalculations and calculating

(Definition of half nounpronounpredetermineradjectiveadverb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)