halfway

haf-WAY/ˌhæfˈweɪ/UKhahf-WAY/hɑːfˈweɪ/

3 meanings of halfway

1
adverb
At or to a point half of the way between two points.
The runners passed the water station halfway through the race.
He paused halfway down the stairs when the phone rang.
Similarmidway
2
adjective
Located at the middle of the way or distance between two points; midway.
The hikers reached the halfway point of the trail by noon.
A small café marks the halfway stage of the bus route.
Similarmidway, middle, intermediate
3
adverb
To a moderate or partial degree; somewhat, but not fully or completely.
The explanation was only halfway convincing, and the board asked for more detail.
She seemed halfway serious about quitting her job and moving abroad.
Similarpartway
Oppositefully, completely, entirely

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of halfway apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Middle English halfwey, from Old English healfweġ ("half-way"), equivalent to half- plus way. It is related to Dutch halfweg, German halbwegs, Danish halvvejs, and Swedish halvvägs, all meaning "halfway".