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

I had to see Fanning in a half-dozen better roles before she felt free of Refn’s smothering gaze.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 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

Cody Price "hadn't really thought about" Border Patrol, he says, until he spotted the half-dozen recruiters.

From BBC ● Jul. 4, 2026

Pirro vowed to hold to account anyone who damages national monuments and said her office is reviewing about a half-dozen other cases which will be misdemeanors or violations.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

They had hoped to find the square outside Capricorn's house empty, but as they were about to enter it from one of the alleys, they saw a half-dozen men were standing outside the church.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke