halfhearted

[ haf-hahr-tid, hahf- ]

/ ˈhæfˈhɑr tɪd, ˈhɑf- /

adjective

having or showing little enthusiasm: a halfhearted attempt to work.

QUIZZES

"EVERYDAY" VS. "EVERY DAY" QUIZ: IS IT ONE WORD OR TWO?

An everyday activity is one you do every day. (Thanks, English.) Practice using "everyday," one word, and "every day," two words, in this fun quiz with … everyday example sentences!

Question 1 of 16

“Everyday" is an adjective that describes things that happen habitually or items that are normal items or events.

True

False

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of halfhearted

First recorded in 1605–15; half + heart + -ed³

SYNONYMS FOR halfhearted

indifferent, uninterested, cold, cool, perfunctory.

ANTONYMS FOR halfhearted

enthusiastic.

OTHER WORDS FROM halfhearted

half·heart·ed·ly, adverbhalf·heart·ed·ness, noun

Words nearby halfhearted

half-wit, half-witted, half-year, halfback, halfbeak, halfhearted, halfhourly, halfies, halfmoon, halfpenny, halfpennyworth

Example sentences from the Web for half-heartedly

But—contrary to many reports—Armstrong half-heartedly said he never pressured teammates into doping or fired them if they refused.
Oprah Winfrey’s Best Lance Armstrong Interview Moments (Video)|Nina Strochlic|January 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They got it with Hillary even when feminist leaders were not supporting her or doing so half-heartedly.
Sarah Palin's a Brainiac|Elaine Lafferty|October 27, 2008|DAILY BEAST
"Oh, I used to be pretty fair," he said half-heartedly, plunging into the distant past.
The Varmint|Owen Johnson
Joe objected, but half-heartedly, and ended by taking the train for home.
Baseball Joe in the Central League|Lester Chadwick

The knights who contest with you do so but half-heartedly, for they know your great fame and feel sure of failure.
King Arthur and His Knights|Maude L. Radford
Mr. Chickadee was doing only part of his duty, and only half-heartedly at that!
Winter|Dallas Lore Sharp
She came just in time to catch Donald in the act of half-heartedly trying to conceal a deep yawn.
'Smiles'|Eliot H. Robinson