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

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

From Science Daily ● Aug. 30, 2026

The incident is among at least a half-dozen similar encounters involving Southwest in the past few weeks, a person familiar with the matter said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

Discovery shareholders and to manage escalating legal fees from a half-dozen law firms hired to help defend the merger.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026

Financial adviser No. 1 might host you for a half-dozen steak dinners, while adviser No. 2 may be the one who actually scores a home run.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 6, 2026

But even then, as he swerved back up onto the porch, Mercedes usually managed to uncork a half-dozen infinitely annoying gravel bits that plinked around his feet before he attained her son’s door.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols