halfway

American  

[haf-wey, hahf-] / ˈhæfˈweɪ, ˈhɑf- /

adverb

1. to half the distance; to midpoint.

   The rope reaches only halfway.

2. almost; nearly; just about.

   He halfway surrendered to their demands.

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adjective

1. midway, as between two places or points.

2. going to or covering only half or part of the full extent.

   halfway measures.

idioms

1. meet halfway, to compromise with; give in partially to.

   They didn't comply with all our demands, but met us halfway on the more important points.

halfway British  

/ ˌhɑːfˈweɪ /

adverb

1. at or to half the distance; at or to the middle

2. in or of an incomplete manner or nature

3. to compromise with

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halfway More Idioms  

1. see go halfway.

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Etymology

Origin of halfway

First recorded in 1350–1400, halfway is from Middle English half wei. See half, way ¹

Explanation

When you're halfway, you're at the middle point of something. If you pause to catch your breath halfway up a hill, you still have half the hill left to climb. You can make it halfway along a marathon route, or 13 miles, and you can also make it halfway through your book before you fall asleep. You might only make it halfway through an enormous slice of cake, or halfway through math class before you start to nod off. A halfway house, originally an inn between two cities, but today it's a place where released criminals or recovered addicts can live while they get back on their feet.

Example Sentences

The migrants were loaded into rubber dinghies, he says, and rowed halfway across the river.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

“This season left off on a cliff-hanger halfway through, unexpectedly,” she said.

From Slate • Apr. 6, 2026

He partnered Bryson DeChambeau, who played himself into the final pairing with McIlroy while Rose went backwards after holding the halfway lead with opening rounds of 65 and 71.

From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026

Shear, with a resting face that seems halfway to panic attack, plays Sam, whose free-floating anxiety is enough to make him faint in public after getting laid off.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

We’re not halfway through when Melanie turns and yells into the house.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller