half step
noun
half step
Americannoun
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Music. semitone.
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Military. a step 15 inches (38 centimeters) long in quick time and 18 inches (46 centimeters) long in double time.
half-step
British
noun
Etymology
Origin of half step
First recorded in 1900–05
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
I’m standing a foot from him, but I take a half step forward so we’re only inches apart and say, Patrick.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
I’m a half step away from calling the animal communicator.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 3, 2024
This is a half step where a whole step is needed.
From Salon ● Sep. 1, 2023
Maybe the offense takes a half step forward with quarterback Grant Gunnell.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 26, 2020
Taking what might have been measured as a halting half step and then pulling a stiff, dead leg forward, dragging a foot turned sideways in the dust, the man limped into the yard.
From "Sounder" by William H. Armstrong
Todd Blanche, Mr. Trump’s lead lawyer, stood a half-step behind, mimicking his client’s scowl.
From New York Times ● May 30, 2024
Providence had a half-step edge but dropped its baton with about 50 meters to go and was disqualified.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 28, 2024
He’s lost a half-step, which explains how Galaxy defensive midfielder Edwin Cerrillo was able to keep him in check for the most of the game.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 26, 2024
Palestinian analyst Talal Okal said the diplomatic appointment was a half-step toward an official Saudi representation office in the occupied West Bank.
From Reuters ● Aug. 12, 2023
“So that would seem too,” the man in black said, edging just a half-step closer to the hunchback’s long knife.
From "The Princess Bride" by William Goldman
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
