English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

verb

halve

Quiz me More like this

Halve (verb) means to cut something down to half its original size or amount.

verb

1

To cut something down to half its original size or amount.

2

To split something into two equal parts.

3

To form one of two equal parts of something.

4

To join two pieces of wood by cutting each one halfway through at the joint so they fit together.

Easily confused with

half →

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like halve.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “halve” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Etymology

The word came into English via Middle English halven, helven, which developed from Old English hilfan, helfan, *hielfan ("to halve, divide in two"). This in turn goes back to Proto-West Germanic *halbijan, from Proto-Germanic *halbijaną ("to halve"), itself from Proto-Germanic *halbaz ("half"). It is cognate with Middle Dutch halven ("to halve") and Middle High German halben, helben ("to halve"), and can be compared with West Frisian helte ("to halve"), Dutch halveren ("to halve"), German Low German halberen ("to halve"), German halbieren ("to halve"), Danish halvere ("to halve") and Swedish halvera ("to halve").

Antonyms

double

Related words

two both single double image twice twin dual

Rhymes for halve

valve salve

See all rhymes for halve →

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of halve?

"halve" (verb) means to cut something down to half its original size or amount.

What is the opposite of halve?

The opposite of "halve" is double.

What are the different meanings of halve?

"halve" has 3 main meanings: 1. To cut something down to half its original size or amount; 2. To split something into two equal parts; 3. To form one of two equal parts of something.

People also searched

two both single double image twice twin dual

Definitions from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0