half-dozen

American  

[half-duhz-uhn, hahf-] / ˈhælfˈdʌz ən, ˈhɑf- /

noun

1. one half of a dozen; six.

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adjective

1. considering six as a unit; consisting of six.

half-dozen British  

determiner

1. (preceded by a)

   1. six or a group of six

      a half-dozen roses

   2. ( as pronoun; functioning as singular or plural )

      at least a half-dozen

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Etymology

Origin of half-dozen

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425

Example Sentences

ICE reported a half-dozen arrests outside the facility after masked agents used force against protestors who they said were blockading the entrances to the facility.

From Salon • May 30, 2026

Chase Growth Fund also uses a half-dozen technical indicators to help time purchases and sales, with relative strength a big part of that process.

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

I recruited a half-dozen L.A. residents to watch and send me their thoughts about how the candidates tackled the important issues.

From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026

JinkoSolar, a leading Chinese name traded on the New York Stock Exchange, has been through a half-dozen boom/bust cycles in the past 15 years.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026

“Maybe, at best, a half-dozen times in all my years—half-dozen times, no more ’n that.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson