First recorded in 1875–80
First recorded in 1870–75
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nine minutes later, Kelly's high cross from the right was only half cleared, allowing Hemp to crisply fire the loose ball past Berger on the half volley.
From BBC ● Mar. 26, 2023
Kane fired wide on the half volley soon after before he made a costly error to allow the away side to double its advantage in the 73rd.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 1, 2023
But the home side always looked like they could grab a second, and they did when Vetlesen lost Bitton in the box and knocked home Morten Konradsen's cut-back on the half volley.
From BBC ● Feb. 24, 2022
Eventually the ball fell to Williams, who fired a 12-yard half volley inside the far post.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 30, 2021
His use of the half volley is unequalled in modern tennis.
From The Art of Lawn Tennis by Tilden, William (Bill) Tatem
Hato's half-volley from just inside the area whistled into the top corner, earning the teenage defender a thumbs-up from Rosenior.
From Barron's ● Jan. 10, 2026
His goal was a wonderful finish, on the half-volley through the defender's legs.
From BBC ● Sep. 21, 2025
The goal came from a half-volley inside the box by Brazilian Alemao to make the score 2-1.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2025
Blundell, who should have been caught on nought by Joe Root at first slip, somehow hit a wide half-volley from Carse to point, where Jacob Bethell took an athletic catch above his head.
From BBC ● Dec. 14, 2024
Well, I got the bowling again, and half-way through the over I carted a half-volley into the Pav., and that gave us the match.
From Tales of St. Austin's by Wodehouse, P. G. (Pelham Grenville)
Then, as the opening period drew to a close, a brilliant first-time half-volleyed pass, blending dexterity and a sure touch in a crowded penalty area, almost put Brahim Diaz in on goal.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2023
He was replaced by Munir, and the change paid off when the Moroccan forward half-volleyed the winner past West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola on the stroke of the hour.
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 10, 2022
A half-volleyed blast by Gary Cahill with nine minutes remaining in the 81st minute was a gem, too, and the score looked poised to serve as the decider.
From New York Times ● Mar. 11, 2015
Bradley opened the scoring in the 15th minute when he half-volleyed a cross from Graham Zusi into the net from the back post.
From Reuters ● Apr. 3, 2014
The fumbles from half-volleyed shots from Ray Clemence were not key to Capello's thinking - James had not been that impressive himself - but they had clearly contributed.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 18, 2010
Pulisic got there first, half-volleying it an instant before the heavy collision.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 30, 2022
Against Djokovic last week, Federer added a new twist: He kamikaze-rushed second serves, almost half-volleying them on his way to the net, an ambush tactic that gave the Serb fits.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 28, 2015
Stephen Dobbie, signed on loan from Brighton last month, almost opened his Palace account on the half-hour, half-volleying goalkeeper Jason Steele's clearance narrowly wide from 35 yards.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 16, 2013
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
