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

That tournament was plagued not just by high heat and humidity, but also by thunderstorms and lightning that paused or delayed a half-dozen matches in Orlando, Fla.; Nashville; Cincinnati; Charlotte, N.C.; and East Rutherford, N.J.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2026

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

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

But after a half-dozen strokes of her brush, Kathy took in a quick breath.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers