How to Pronounce Half

To pronounce "half", say HALF — one syllable, IPA /hɑːf/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

half

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying half, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

1

Syllable

4

Letters

/hɑːf/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “half”

"half" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with gaf and chaff, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: haff — easy to mix up when writing.

What does half mean?

noun

  1. 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.”

  2. Half of a standard measure; frequently used for half a pint of beer or cider.

verb

  1. To halve.

adjective

  1. Consisting of a half (1/2, 50%).

    “a half bushel; a half hour; a half dollar; a half view”

  2. Consisting of some indefinite portion resembling a half; approximately a half, whether more or less; partial; imperfect.

    “a half dream; half knowledge”

Synonyms

½dimidiatedemi-hemi-semi-

Words that rhyme with half

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

gafchaffgaffstafflaughepitaphgaffecarafegiraffesclaffphotographriffraff

Related words

fractionalone-halfuncompleteincompletehalvinghalvehalvedmoiety

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "half"?▾

"Half" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "half"?▾

The IPA transcription of "half" is /hɑːf/.

What does "half" mean?▾

Half: One of two usually roughly equal parts into which anything may be divided, or considered as divided.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “half” in the full dictionary →