half

One of two equal parts of something.

• I ate half of the apple.
• She cut the paper in half.
• The two halves fit together perfectly.

How to use it: half of something (Half of the cake is yours.)

Opposites: whole

Common phrases: half of something, in half, one half, a half

One of the two main periods of a sports game.

• Our team scored in the first half.
• The second half starts in ten minutes.
• Both halves of the match were exciting.

Common phrases: first half, second half, half of something

One of the two parts of a sports field, usually defended by one team.

• The ball stayed in our half.
• He kicked it into the other half.
• They defended their half well throughout the match.

How to use it: in/into someone’s half (The ball landed in our half.)

Common phrases: own half, opposing half, half of something

A player with a position between the main attacking and defending players in certain sports.

• He played as a centre half.
• The right half passed to the forward.
• Both halves moved back to help defend.

Similar words: halfback

Common phrases: centre half, left half, right half

Equal to one of two equal parts of an amount or thing.

• Wait for half an hour.
• We bought a half bottle of wine.
• All these shirts are half price today.

Similar words: semi-, hemi-, demi-

Opposites: whole

Common phrases: half an hour, half a kilo, half price

Incomplete, or only partly true, serious, or fully expressed.

• His story was a half truth.
• She gave me a half smile.
• A half promise will not reassure them.

Similar words: partial, incomplete

Opposites: complete

Common phrases: half truth, half smile, half promise

To exactly fifty percent of an amount or degree.

• The bottle is half full.
• This box weighs half as much as that one.
• Our journey was half over when it began to snow.

How to use it: half as + adjective/adverb + as… (This room is half as big as ours.)

Similar words: halfway

Common phrases: half full, half as much, half the size

To some degree, but not completely.

• I was half asleep.
• She half expected him to refuse.
• We listened with half closed eyes.

Similar words: partly, partially

Opposites: fully, completely

Common phrases: half asleep, half joking, half expect