half-dozen

American  

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

noun

1. one half of a dozen; six.

---

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

---

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

Alibaba shares have declined by roughly one fifth in 2026 but it’s still among the top half-dozen largest stocks in China with a market capitalization of around $300 billion.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 24, 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

She carefully moved a half-dozen panels one by one, making a new stack beside the first one until she uncovered the faded one the woman had tapped.

From "Rickshaw Girl" by Mitali Perkins