Half vs. Halves: What's the Difference?

Half and Halves Definitions
Half
One of two equal parts that together constitute a whole.
Halves
Plural of half.
Half
One part approximately equal to the remaining part.
Halves
Plural of half
Half
(Informal) A 50-cent piece.
ADVERTISEMENT
Half
One of the two playing periods into which certain games are divided.
Half
A halfback.
Half
Chiefly British A school term; a semester.
Half
Half an hour
A half past one.
Half
Being one of two equal parts.
ADVERTISEMENT
Half
Being approximately a half.
Half
Partial or incomplete
Gave me a half smile.
Half
To the extent of exactly or nearly 50 percent
The tank is half empty.
Half
Not completely or sufficiently; partly
Only half right.
Half
One of two usually roughly equal parts into which anything may be divided, or considered as divided.
I ate the slightly smaller half of the apple.
You don’t know the half of it.
Of the passengers on the plane, half were English.
The cake was delicious: half was vanilla and half was chocolate.
ADVERTISEMENT
Half
(sports) One of the two opposite parts of the playing field of various sports, in which each starts the game.
Half
Half of a standard measure, chiefly: (British) half a pint of beer or cider.
Half
(preceded by “a” or a number) The fraction obtained by dividing 1 by 2.
Three-quarters minus a quarter is a half.
Half
Any of the three terms at Eton College, for Michaelmas, Lent, and summer.
Half
(slang) A half sibling.
Half
A child ticket.
Half
(sports) abbreviated form for half marathon.
Half
(numismatic slang) half-dollar
Half
Consisting of a half (½, 50%).
A half kilo
A half hour
A half dollar
Half
Consisting of some indefinite portion resembling a half; approximately a half, whether more or less; partial; imperfect.
A half truth
Half
(of a sibling) Having one parent (rather than two) in common.
Half
(of a relative other than a sibling) Related through one common grandparent or ancestor rather than two.
Half
In two equal parts or to an equal degree.
Half
In some part approximating a half.
Half
Partially; imperfectly.
Half done
Half persuaded
Half conscious
He does sometimes half wish to change his life, but it is too difficult.
Half
Practically, nearly.
Half
To halve.
Half
Half past; a half-hour (30 minutes) after the last hour.
The time is 9:30; it is half nine.
Half
A half-hour to (preceding) the next hour.
In some countries, "half seven" means 6:30.
Half
(theatre) A call reminding performers that the performance will begin in thirty minutes.
Half
Consisting of a moiety, or half; as, a half bushel; a half hour; a half dollar; a half view.
Half
Consisting of some indefinite portion resembling a half; approximately a half, whether more or less; partial; imperfect; as, a half dream; half knowledge.
Assumed from thence a half consent.
Half
In an equal part or degree; in some part approximating a half; partially; imperfectly; as, half-colored, half done, half-hearted, half persuaded, half conscious.
Their children spoke halfin the speech of Ashdod.
Half
Part; side; behalf.
The four halves of the house.
Half
One of two equal parts into which anything may be divided, or considered as divided; - sometimes followed by of; as, a half of an apple.
Not half his riches known, and yet despised.
A friendship so completePortioned in halves between us.
Half
To halve. [Obs.] See Halve.
Half
One of two equal parts of a divisible whole;
Half a loaf
Half an hour
A century and one half
Half
In various games or performances: either of two periods of play separated by an interval
Half
Consisting of one of two equivalent parts in value or quantity;
A half chicken
Lasted a half hour
Half
Partial;
Gave me a half smile
He did only a half job
Half
(of siblings) related through one parent only;
A half brother
Half sister
Half
Partially or to the extent of a half;
He was half hidden by the bushes