Word
halfway
Phoneticshalf·way, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhæfˈweɪ/
UK/hˈɑːfweɪ/
Adverb of place
Definitions
01at the middle point
B1 · Intermediate
adv. at or to the middle point between two places, times, or events.
adv. at or to a point equidistant between two limits; in the middle of a journey or process.
“We stopped for lunch when we were halfway to the coast.”
“The marathon runners reached the halfway mark in just under sixty-five minutes, maintaining a pace that suggested a record-breaking finish.”
Synonyms
02partially or somewhat
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
adv. partly or to some extent, but not completely.
adv. to a partial degree; moderately or somewhat. Often used in negative constructions to indicate a lack of effort.
“I was halfway through my dinner when the phone rang.”
“If you are only halfway decent at your job, you should at least be able to answer a basic customer enquiry.”
Antonyms
03middle or midway
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. being in the middle of a distance or a period of time.
adj. situated at or constituting a midpoint. Usually non-gradable.
“The halfway point of the project is usually the most difficult time.”
“The negotiators reached a halfway house agreement that satisfied the core demands of both the union and the management.”
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “halfway” in context.
Adjective
01. halfway through the year
“We realized halfway through the year that our budget was insufficient.”
adj + prep + noun
02. roughly halfway
“The village is situated roughly halfway between the two major cities.”
adv + adj
Noun
03. halfway house
“The new policy represents a halfway house between total deregulation and strict control.”
adj + noun
04. halfway mark
“The project is nearing the halfway mark, and we are ahead of schedule.”
adj + noun
05. halfway point
“We have finally reached the halfway point of the marathon.”
adj + noun
06. halfway stage
“At the halfway stage of the negotiations, both parties seemed willing to compromise.”
adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“Sammie Szmodics, who scored in the EFL Cup loss to Lincoln, put Derby into a lead at the halfway point.” “Check every box perfectly and not halfway,” Hannah said.” Idioms
01. halfway decent
02. meet halfway
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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