# halfway

/ˈhæfˈweɪ/ (US) · /hˈɑːfweɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/halfway
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. at the middle point

adverb · CEFR B1

at or to the middle point between two places, times, or events.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. partially or somewhat

adverb · CEFR B2 · Informal

partly or to some extent, but not completely.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. middle or midway

adjective · CEFR B2

being in the middle of a distance or a period of time.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- We stopped halfway to have a rest.
- The hikers realized they were only halfway to the summit when the sun began to set.
- The project was abandoned halfway through the fiscal year because the initial funding proved insufficient to cover the rising costs of raw materials.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.