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

See Examples For:

half-dozen

Saunders also noted that a Dunkin’ promo this year offering a free tote bag with the purchase of a half-dozen doughnuts went over well with customers.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026

"We're relying on the tweets of a half-dozen people who are all vying for perceived supremacy," he said.

From BBC ● Sep. 15, 2026

The article says only that it’s “based on interviews with more than a half-dozen current and former officials,” including anonymous “people who spoke to” Vance and “officials with direct knowledge.”

From Slate ● Sep. 11, 2026

Researchers have now documented hundreds of hominin footprints at more than a half-dozen sites across the region.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026

Among Aspero’s many curiosities, Willey and Corbett noted, were a half-dozen mounds, some of them nearly fifteen feet tall.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann