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.
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
His in-swinging cross from the left was perfectly flighted and met by McCann at the back post but, from just a few yards out, his half volley went wide of the far post.
From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2022
Debutant Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate, who was hugely impressive throughout, had a half volley parried away by Matt Macey before James Forrest's deflected effort whistled past the far post.
From BBC ● Jan. 17, 2022
Eventually the ball fell to Williams, who fired a 12-yard half volley inside the far post.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 30, 2021
Notwithstanding these truths, there are certain players who have turned the half volley into a point winner.
From The Art of Lawn Tennis by Tilden, William (Bill) Tatem
But, in his first World Cup start, he almost made an immediate impact, having a powerful half-volley superbly saved by South Africa's Ronwen Williams in the fourth minute.
From BBC ● Jun. 12, 2026
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
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
"You'd have no chance of lining him up - he was wide down the leg side, wide down the off side, half-volley, bouncer and then all of a sudden right in the perfect zone."
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2025
Major A. R. F. Kingscote wins many a point, seemingly lost, by his phenomenal half-volley returns, particularly from the baseline.
From The Art of Lawn Tennis by Tilden, William (Bill) Tatem
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
However, they had John Dempster sent off for two yellows and Port Vale substitute Louis Dodds broke the Red Devils' hearts when he half-volleyed home from close range.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 6, 2011
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.
