adverb
Common
halfway
hahf-WAY
Halfway (adverb) means At the midpoint between two places, times, or amounts. Example: “The runners were only halfway up the hill when the rain started.”
adverb
1
At the midpoint between two places, times, or amounts.
"The runners were only halfway up the hill when the rain started."
"We stopped for lunch halfway through the drive."
"The bridge is halfway between the two towns."
2
Partly, but not completely.
"The film was only halfway decent, so we left before the end."
"She halfway expected him to forget the meeting again."
"He only halfway agreed with the plan."
adjective
1
Located in the middle of a distance, journey, or process.
"The halfway stage of the project is when we review our progress."
"A halfway café on the route offers tea to tired walkers."
"They met at the halfway point of the trail."
How to use halfway
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRight in the middle of something, whether that's a distance, a time period, or an effort.
Common pairings
halfway point
halfway through
meet someone halfway
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Etymology
From Old English healfweġ, joining half and way — literally "half of the way."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for halfway
See all rhymes for halfway →Frequently asked questions
What does “halfway” mean?
The word “halfway” means at the midpoint between two places, times, or amounts. In plain terms, right in the middle of something, whether that's a distance, a time period, or an effort.
How do you pronounce “halfway”?
“Halfway” is pronounced hahf-WAY (/ˌhæfˈweɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “halfway” in a sentence?
Here is “halfway” used in a sentence: “We stopped for lunch halfway through the drive.”
What part of speech is “halfway”?
Depending on how it is used, “halfway” can be an adverb and an adjective.
Where does the word “halfway” come from?
The word “halfway” comes from Old English. From Old English healfweġ, joining half and way — literally "half of the way.".
Is “halfway” a common word?
“Halfway” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “halfway” have?
“Halfway” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: at the midpoint between two places, times, or amounts.
Is halfway one word or two?
In modern English, halfway is written as one word: "We're halfway there." The hyphenated half-way is an older form, and writing it as two separate words is now generally considered nonstandard.
What is the difference between halfway and midway?
Both mean at or near the midpoint of a distance, time, or process. Halfway is the everyday choice and also means "partly," as in "halfway convinced," while midway sounds slightly more formal and is common in phrases like "midway through the season."
What is a halfway house?
A halfway house is a supervised residence that helps people transition back into everyday life, for example after prison or treatment. Figuratively, especially in British English, it also means a midpoint or compromise between two options.
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