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.
Moussa Diaby cancelled out his fellow debutant's goal within five minutes, though, beautifully controlling a half volley with his weaker foot after Ollie Watkins' flick on.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2023
Moments later, the Rangers captain had Alnwick at full stretch to parry away a half volley before Morelos and Arfield passed up chances to add a third.
From BBC ● Dec. 26, 2021
Kruse got married on Thursday but showed no ill effects from the honeymoon in the 16th minute when he met Grischa Prömel’s layoff with a half volley inside the top left corner.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 18, 2021
Eventually the ball fell to Williams, who fired a 12-yard half volley inside the far post.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 30, 2021
Johnston made a remarkable recovery with a half volley, putting the ball high in the air and seemingly outside.
From The Art of Lawn Tennis by Tilden, William (Bill) Tatem
When Heather Knight was hit on the pad by a leg-stump half-volley from Kim Garth, England were 70-4 in the 11th.
From BBC ● Jul. 5, 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
Adjusting to the situation left the Reign vulnerable in the 11th minute when Kyra Carusa collected her own rebound and swung it back into goal on a half-volley.
From Seattle Times ● May 3, 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)
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
Italy international Giaccherini - one of the trio of Di Canio summer signings - missed from six yards, but made amends when he half-volleyed Cattermole's cross beyond Robert Olejnik for the opening goal.
From BBC ● Sep. 24, 2013
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.
